Christian McBride, the co-director of the Jazz Museum in Harlem, was special guest as interviewee on the evening of January 12, 2006, replacing the originally scheduled guest, Buster Williams. With a voice as deep and resonant as his bass tones in the low register McBride related stories of his stellar career, ranging from his early years in Philadelphia playing electric bass and studying classical music on acoustic contrabass, moving to Harlem while attending Juilliard, and playing with a plethora of top artists in jazz and pop music.

He described the essence of Philly as “soulful” while recounting the great musical legacy of the city, from whence numerous great jazz and R&B musicians have come. He described the workman-like life of a bassist, often under-appreciated for their contributions. For instance, after his mentor Ray Brown died, an editor of one of the major jazz magazines admitted outright that a bassist would never be on its cover. But at the age of 14, Wynton Marsalis recognized McBride’s talent, and brought him onstage to play a tune with his group on Philadelphia’s prestigious concert hall, The Academy of Music.

McBride discussed the pros and cons of jazz press identification as a “young lion” back in the 1980s; memories of playing with Sting during 9/11; bass influences such as the unsung Buster Williams, Sam Jones and Robert Hurst; the difficulties and triumphs of playing with a bow, and much more.