Christian McBride & Inside Straight
Village Vanguard178 7th Avenue South, New York 10014
Christian McBride brings Inside Straight, the acoustic jazz quintet he leads, to the Village Vanguard for the 10 p.m. set. The group is associated with the Vanguard from its beginning: its own album page says Inside Straight was “birthed at the Village Vanguard.” In the club’s triangular downstairs room, the stage sits at the point of the space, with tables spreading out before it and the audience asked for quiet as the music begins.
Philadelphia-born bassist and bandleader McBride leads a band known for swinging hard-bop and straight-ahead jazz. Inside Straight has been listed with Steve Wilson on alto and soprano saxophone, Warren Wolf on vibraphone, Peter Martin on piano and Carl Allen on drums. Mack Avenue describes the quintet as the group that began McBride’s collaboration with the label. Reviewing Live at the Village Vanguard, DownBeat praised its “bravura moments” and wrote that “the band’s real strength is the writing.” Jazzwise heard “the continuing vitality of the tradition,” while Feast of Music singled out the group’s “tight and cookin’” interplay and stylistic range. McBride’s wider collaborations include James Brown, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Sting, The Roots, Bruce Hornsby and Paul McCartney.
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.