Christian McBride - Host - Jazz Night in America

Bassist extraordinaire, composer, arranger, educator, curator, and administrator, Christian McBride, has been one of the most important and most omnipresent figures in the jazz world for 20 years. Sometimes hard to believe considering this man just entered his 40s.

Beginning in 1989, this Philadelphia-born bassist moved to New York City to further his classical studies at the Juilliard School, only to be snatched up by alto saxophonist, Bobby Watson. Since then, McBride's list of accomplishments has been nothing short of staggering. As a sideman in the jazz world alone, he's worked with the best of the very best – Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins, J.J. Johnson, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Pat Metheny.

Away from the bass, Christian has become quite an astute and respected spokesperson for the music. Since 2000, McBride has blazed a trail as a bandleader with the Christian McBride Band