With Out Here, his 11th recording as a leader, world-class bassist and Grammy award winner Christian McBride introduced his latest working group: a trio, fully embracing at age 41 his role as standard-bearer and mentor. Pianist Christian Sands and drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr.—both younger, emerging artists—have been performing with McBride’s smallest group for four years, honing their trio conception to a fine point of expressive depth and nuance with select performances around the world.
“It’s a pretty diversified trio,” says McBride descriptively. “The real core foundation is hardcore swingin,’ blues and the American songbook. Part of that is because Christian [Sands] is so well-rounded and willing to go to so many places, that I can’t help but want to swing hard with him and Ulysses.”...
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With Out Here, his 11th recording as a leader, world-class bassist and Grammy award winner Christian McBride introduced his latest working group: a trio, fully embracing at age 41 his role as standard-bearer and mentor. Pianist Christian Sands and drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr.—both younger, emerging artists—have been performing with McBride’s smallest group for four years, honing their trio conception to a fine point of expressive depth and nuance with select performances around the world.
“It’s a pretty diversified trio,” says McBride descriptively. “The real core foundation is hardcore swingin,’ blues and the American songbook. Part of that is because Christian [Sands] is so well-rounded and willing to go to so many places, that I can’t help but want to swing hard with him and Ulysses.”
Christian’s description gives only a taste of what’s to come in the intimate setting of Alvin & Friends restaurant in New Rochelle on June 20th. Here’s background on each band member:
For over 20 years, Christian McBride has appeared in numerous musical settings with just about any musician imaginable in the jazz as well as R&B and pop worlds, recording on over 300 dates as a sideman. From playing with Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, Roy Haynes, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny; to playing with and/or arranging for artists such as Isaac Hayes, Chaka Khan, Lalah Hathaway, Sting and the legendary James Brown—what has always been unique about McBride is his versatility and integrity in each musical situation.
Pianist Christian Sands is an emerging jazz force. A recent Steinway Artist, he possesses pianistic technique in abundance, but it perfectly matches his conception. He takes a fresh look at the entire language of jazz: stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban. He says, “My music is about teaching the way of jazz and keeping it alive.” Born May 22, 1989, Christian possessed an insatiable appetite for music. He was enrolled in music classes at age 4 and wrote his first composition at age 5. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Manhattan School of Music. He is a proud protégé of the great jazz pianist Dr. Billy Taylor.
Multi-Grammy Award Winning drummer Ulysses Owens Jr., is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and a Juilliard graduate with a Bachelor of Music degree with concentration in Jazz Studies. He has performed with world-class musicians including Patti Austin, Terence Blanchard, Russell Malone, Wynton Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Maceo Parker, and Dianne Reeves to name a few.
In 2010 Ulysses received his first Grammy Award for his performance on Kurt Elling's "Dedicated To You"; his second Grammy Award in 2012 for Christian McBride's Big Band Album "The Good Feeling"; and in 2014 his third Grammy Nomination for Christian McBride’s Trio Album “Out Here.” Currently, Ulysses is touring as the drummer for Christian McBride, Monty, Alexander, and Dianne Schuur.
7:30 and 9:30 pm sets
$25 in advance, $35 at door
RESERVATIONS: 800-956-1554.
Alvin & Friends Restaurant 14 Memorial Highway New Rochelle, NY (Half hour drive or train ride from Manhattan; 3 minute walk from the MetroNorth New Rochelle station.)
www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com
Curated by G&J Productions
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