Jazz Musician Describes How Artists Use Music To Unite Us

Steve Adubato goes one-on-one with jazz musician, Christian McBride, about his latest album, “Bringin’ It." Mcride also discusses the impact of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival at NJPAC and artists using their music to unite us in these turbulent times.

11/9/17 #2085

Excerpt:

"[music playing] Talk about good music. That was from Christian McBride's Big Band, Gettin', excuse me, Bringin' It. That was the first cut called Gettin' to It. How you doing my friend? What's happening Steve? Thank you as always. Good to see you. Thanks for having me. Real quick, before we talk about a whole range of things, we have a lot to catch up with you on. Yes. Tell us about the CD that came out just two weeks ago now, no no no no, I'm sorry, four weeks ago, and it seems to be doing pretty well. I'm taking my Big Band on our first European tour in the spring. I'm excited about that, this will be my first extended European tour with those guys. We're gonna be in Europe for about three weeks. Tell folks your connection to NJPAC, New Jersey Performing Arts Center. In 2012 I was named the artistic director for their jazz programming and John Schreiber, who's the CEO of NJPAC. Our good friend? Our good friend. I've known him since I was 14 years old you know. Wow. So he's always been... Because he's a jazz aficionado? Yes. Yes, and he's always looked out for his friends and when he became the CEO he asked if I would be... Wow. ...interested in doing the jazz programming, and I couldn't say no to him. You know, speaking of jazz aficionados, one of our other mutual friends, Nick Miceli, who is one of the area... Yes. ...presidents at TD, is here today and came to check out the interview, he is a jazz aficionado and there's a TD James Moody Jazz Festival... That's correct. ...connection, set it up for us. That's right, so every November between TD, and of course, Nick, he's just such a great guy as you said, they sponsor the James Moody Jazz Festival which happens every November, and it's a series of concerts that happen throughout the month, and James Moody of course, although he was not born in Newark, he made his name in Newark, one of the great jazz legends of all time, his presence, even after his death of... ten years ago I believe it was, his spirit is still alive and well in Newark, and... Speaking of spirits... Yeah. Sarah Vaughan? Yes. Newark? Newark, that's right. Right, people forget that. Who is the festival honoring this year? Well this year is the centennial of Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Buddy Rich, Mongo Santamaria, and Lena Horne. No! Yes. All this...? All... Yeah so... 100? 100. But this year, but particularly focused on Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie? And Dizzy Gillespie, yes. That's going to be..."