Christian McBride & Ursa Major

In the organizer's words:

Christian McBride is the most influential and versatile bassist of his generation: from big band sounds to furious improvisations in intimate settings and classical quartet formations, to R'n'B, straight funk and excursions into pop realms, the 54-year-old has simply mastered everything, and he has worked with all the greats of his profession. What also sets him apart: He seeks out exchanges with musicians who are just starting out. With Ursa Major - "Big Bear" - he has put together a band of rising stars. Ely Perlman (git), Nicole Glover (sax), Savannah Harris (dr) and Mike King (p) are in their 20s and 30s. They have different backgrounds, but are able to put them in an exciting relationship with each other. "I wanted an 'all-in' band," McBride said. A band that masters different styles and operates at different energy levels. "Free, funky, swinging, flexible" - that's how he describes Savannah Harris' playing. It applies to this great band as a whole.