Christian McBride Quartet featuring Roy McCurdy
Village Vanguard178 7th Avenue South, New York 10014
Christian McBride brings his quartet to the Village Vanguard with Marcus Strickland on saxophone, Josh Evans on trumpet and Nasheet Waits on drums, alongside McBride on bass. The supplied bill also says “featuring Roy McCurdy,” though the date-specific Village Vanguard lineup does not name McCurdy, so his participation is not confirmed by the available information. This is a four-piece jazz set built around bass, saxophone, trumpet and drums.
Raised in Philadelphia, Christian McBride is a bassist whose work reaches across jazz and other styles. His collaborators include Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, Pat Metheny and Ray Brown, placing this quartet date in the context of a long-running career alongside major bandleaders and improvisers. A Los Angeles Times review called the group “technically impressive” and “emotionally charged,” praising its “tight ensemble play” and “give-and-take.” Those details point to a band format where McBride’s bass anchors a frontline of saxophone and trumpet, with Waits completing the conversation on drums.
A narrow basement staircase leads to a triangular room with a red curtain and a stage at the point, where musicians play for a small audience of 123. Tables open like spokes from the stage, and the walls hold portraits of jazz legends. The acoustics are excellent, and the only sound before the music begins is the hum of the room. No food is served, only drinks at a bar. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., with seating beginning at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. respectively. The atmosphere is focused entirely on the music, with silence requested before the concert begins.