@ Andy's In Chicago

I have been in Chicago the last several days for the Midwest Political Science Conference.  Tonight I went to see tenor sax man Von Freeman at Andy's Jazz club, just north of the river.  At 88, he looks pretty brittle, but he can still play with all of that feelin'.  It was a very nice evening.  Freeman had a vocalist with him, and a piano,bass and drums behind him.  I didn't get any of their names, but they were all very good.   I believe he said that the bass player was from the Chicago Symphony.  

Live jazz is priceless.  But this only cost me $15 and a few beers.  

Here is a sample I picked up from an out of print CD. 

Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, and Mark Whitfield/Dolphin Dance/Fingerpainting: The Music of Herbie Hancock

McBride plays bass, Payton guitar, and Whitfield trumpet and flugelhorn guitar, Whitfield guitar and Payton trumpet and flugelhorn  It is very well recorded, and the guitar in particular is magnificent.  I heard it while strolling in The Jazz Record Mart in Chicago, one of my favorite stops in the windy city.

Tonight! Christian McBride Live @ The Village Vanguard

Christian McBride and his band Inside Straight are appearing tonight at the Village Vanguard.  The concert will be shown live online, (Wednesday) at 9pm ET.  I recommend it to all my readers.  Hopefully, the recording will be available for download later. 

McBride didn't just learn to play the bass, he inherited it.  His father and great uncle were both accomplished thumpers.  He began playing bass at age 9 and fell into the orbit of Wynton Marsalis when he was a ripe 14.  This guy is worth a listen. 

McBride and Inside Straight have one recording, so far as I know.  I have it, and it is delicious, sparkling jazz.  Don't listen to it if you want to remain in a funk.  Here is a brief description from LD: 

Muscular playing from the saxophonist Steve Wilson and vibraphonist Warren Wolf Jr. dominate the disc, providing little sense that the leader is in the rhythm section putting the music into overdrive with drummer Carl Allen. (McBride does take a few flavorful and melodic solos). Pianist Eric Scott Reed provides the lightness needed to cut through the density of the music.

That sounds right to me.  It is hard to be bass.  Even when you are leader you seem to be invisible.  But you can hear McBride's virtuosity on several cuts.  Here is a sample:

Christian McBride/Brother Mister/Kind of Brown

Get the album, and if you read this in time, watch the concert.  Or go to the Village Vanguard.  Jazz is alive.