Christian McBride

About

Christian McBride (Philadelphia, 1972) is an American jazz bassist, composer and bandleader with over thirty years at the top of the genre. An eleven-time Grammy winner who has recorded and performed with Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, James Brown and Paul McCartney, he leads several ensembles ranging from the swinging Christian McBride Big Band to the genre-crossing quintet Ursa Major. He also hosts NPR's 'Jazz Night in America' and 'The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian' on SiriusXM.

11×

Grammy Awards won

300+

recordings as sideman

184K

followers on Instagram

230K

likes on Facebook

What's new

2026-09
McBride announced the debut album of his ensemble Ursa Major: 'Points of Light', produced by Terrace Martin, released on October 30, 2026 via Mack Avenue Records.
2026-08
In August 2026, an interview appeared in the Amsterdam News in which McBride reflects on his role as artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival and his vision for the future of jazz.
2025-09
McBride stepped down after nearly ten years as artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival, a position he had personally received from festival founder George Wein in 2015.
2025-07
A concert recording of McBride with pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Marcus Gilmore, performed for a sold-out venue in Kalamazoo on April 13, 2025, was released in July 2025 via YouTube by The Gilmore.
2026-01
In January 2026, McBride organized his first own music cruise, 'Christian McBride's World at Sea', aboard the Celebrity Summit with stops in Jamaica and Grand Cayman.