VOA常速英语:Christian McBride Releases Album of Jazz 'Conversations'

Jazz bassist Christian McBride enjoys a good conversation.  So much so that he recorded an entire album of “conversations.” 

With more and more musicians jumping on the duets bandwagon, Christian McBride decided it was time to have a conversation with some of his closest friends and collaborators.  Soon, he lined up more than a dozen world-class artists, including jazz giant Hank Jones, to record “Conversations With Christian.”

With no limit to his musical range, Christian McBride has performed with hundreds of jazz, pop and rock greats, as well as hip-hop groups and classical singers.  Interplay brings out the best in the 39-year-old bandleader and composer, as heard on this montage from his album, featuring, in order, keyboardist George Duke, guitarist Russell Malone, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and saxophonist Ron Blake.

Christian is also paired with pianists Eddie Palmieri, Chick Corea and the late Dr. Billy Taylor; vocalists Angelique Kidjo, Sting and Gina Gershon; violinist Regina Carter; and trumpeter Roy Hargrove on the jazz standard “Baubles, Bangles and Beads.”