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Christian McBride

Sketches Of Tain: Music And Stories From Drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts

Jeff 'Tain' Watts and Jazz Night host, Christian McBride Trevor Smith/Trevor Smith hide caption

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Trevor Smith/Trevor Smith

Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

Sketches Of Tain: Music And Stories From Drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Christian McBride heads out to Pa. for a hang with drummer/composer Jeff Tain Watts, talking Pittsburgh and diving into the stories of Tain's time with both Wynton and Branford Marsalis.

Sketches Of Tain: Music And Stories From Drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts

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The 2020 Jazz Critics Poll: It's After The End Of The World

Pedal steel player Susan Alcorn, whose album with her quintet, Pedernal, was the pick for the best album of the year by Francis Davis, who runs the annual NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll. David Lobato/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David Lobato/Courtesy of the artist

Best Music Of 2020

The 2020 Jazz Critics Poll: It's After The End Of The World

2020 was an annus horribilis if there ever was one, writes Francis Davis, the founder of NPR Music's Jazz Critics poll, and much of the year's best jazz carried post-apocalyptic feelings within it.

New Music Friday: The Top Ten Albums Out July 10

The late rapper Juice WRLD. His posthumous full-length, Legends Never Die, tops our list of the best new albums out this week. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The Top Ten Albums Out July 10

The best new albums out this week include the first posthumous full-length from the late rapper Juice Wrld, singer Margo Price's best record yet, the return of Rufus Wainwright and more.

July 10, 2020

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The All-Female Big Bands That Made History During World War II

The International Sweethearts of Rhythm in the 1940s. Courtesy of Rosalind Cron hide caption

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Courtesy of Rosalind Cron

Music Interviews

The All-Female Big Bands That Made History During World War II

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Christian McBride of Jazz Night in America about the forgotten all-female big bands that toured the United States during World War II.

The All-Female Big Bands That Made History During World War II

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A Reunion Of Brotherly Love: Joey DeFrancesco Traces His Roots

Bassist Christian McBride (left) and Blues artist Joey DeFrancesco (right). Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

A Reunion Of Brotherly Love: Joey DeFrancesco Traces His Roots

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Christian McBride interviews one of his oldest friends, organist Joey DeFrancesco, in their hometown of Philadelphia.

A Reunion Of Brotherly Love: Joey DeFrancesco Traces His Roots

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'Jazz Night In America' Remembers Artists We Lost In 2018

Grammy-winning trumpeter Roy Hargrove passed away at age 49. Courtesy of The Roy Hargrove Estate hide caption

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Courtesy of The Roy Hargrove Estate

Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

'Jazz Night In America' Remembers Artists We Lost In 2018

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Friends of the show offer memories and music of pianist Cecil Taylor, Village Vanguard owner Lorraine Gordon, South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela and trumpeter Roy Hargrove.

'Jazz Night In America' Remembers Artists We Lost In 2018

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5 Dream-Team Grammy Collaborations We'd Love To See Sunday Night
Danny Clinch/Courtesy of the artists

World Cafe

5 Dream-Team Grammy Collaborations We'd Love To See Sunday Night

XPN

Drawn from this year's list of nominees, these are the live performances we'd program if we were in charge of Sunday night's award show.

Laura Marling On World Cafe

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From The Critic's Desk: A Preview Of 2017 In Jazz

Miguel Zenón's Típico is on Nate Chinen's list of albums to look forward to in 2017. Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artist

Jazz Night In America

From The Critic's Desk: A Preview Of 2017 In Jazz

Jazz critic Nate Chinen and Jazz Night In America's Christian McBride discuss a few of this year's hotly anticipated albums, including new work by Miguel Zenón and Kevin Eubanks.

From The Critic's Desk: A Preview Of 2017 In Jazz

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Musicians in Their Own Words

Bassist Christian McBride, Plying the Bottom Groove

Following jazz great Ray Brown and funk's Bootsy Collins, Christian McBride is building on his predecessors' bass work. He McBride finds plenty of room to explore "the groove underneath — the bottom."

Bassist Christian McBride, Plying the Bottom Groove

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Beyond Country And Blues: The Jazz Legacy Of Houston

Though not well known for its jazz scene, Houston, Texas has produced some of America's best jazz musicians, including Jason Moran. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jazz Night In America

Beyond Country And Blues: The Jazz Legacy Of Houston

Though not well known for its jazz scene, Houston has produced some of the country's best jazz musicians, including Jason Moran.

Beyond Country And Blues: The Jazz Legacy Of Houston

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Christian McBride's 'The Movement Revisited'

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NPR

Jazz Night In America

Christian McBride's 'The Movement Revisited'

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Jazz Night In America's host happens to be a Grammy-winning bassist, and he's written a special work. Hear a bluesy, soulful oratorio for big band and gospel choir, inspired by civil-rights icons.

Christian McBride's 'The Movement Revisited'

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Christian McBride On Ray Brown's Bass And James Brown's Appeal

Christian McBride performs at the Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, R.I. earlier in 2015. Eva Hambach/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Eva Hambach/AFP/Getty Images

Jazz Night In America

Christian McBride On Ray Brown's Bass And James Brown's Appeal

Over the last year, the bassist and NPR's Audie Cornish have discussed and dissected everything about jazz. Their latest chat, held for a live audience, focuses on how his own career started.

Christian McBride On Ray Brown's Bass And James Brown's Appeal

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What Does It Mean To Be A Child Prodigy In Jazz?

Joey Alexander, 12, recently released his debut album. Rebecca Meek/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Rebecca Meek/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

What Does It Mean To Be A Child Prodigy In Jazz?

Christian McBride, host of Jazz Night In America, examines the piano phenomenon Joey Alexander, his classmate Joey DeFrancesco and his own experience as a hotly tipped young talent.

What Does It Mean To Be A Child Prodigy In Jazz?

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Christian McBride On 'A Love Supreme' And Its Descendants

John Coltrane during the recording of A Love Supreme in December 1964. Chuck Stewart/Courtesy of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History hide caption

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Chuck Stewart/Courtesy of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

Jazz Night In America

Christian McBride On 'A Love Supreme' And Its Descendants

The Jazz Night in America host shares thoughts on the Coltrane classic, which turns 50 this month, as well as two remarkable contemporary pianists.

Christian McBride On 'A Love Supreme' And Its Descendants

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'Everything Is Cyclical': Christian McBride Looks At 2015 In Jazz

Christian McBride is the host of NPR's Jazz Night In America. Anna Webber/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Anna Webber/Courtesy of the artist

Jazz Night In America

'Everything Is Cyclical': Christian McBride Looks At 2015 In Jazz

The bassist, host of NPR's new program Jazz Night In America, talks to Audie Cornish about two exciting new jazz records, as well as two birthdays he says he can't wait to celebrate.

'Everything Is Cyclical': Christian McBride Looks At 2015 In Jazz

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They Drive At 55: The Monterey Jazz Anniversary Tour

Christian McBride in rehearsal at the Kennedy Center. Jeffrey Kliman/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center. hide caption

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Jeffrey Kliman/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center.

JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater

They Drive At 55: The Monterey Jazz Anniversary Tour

WBGO

An all-star sextet is crossing the country, advancing the festival's mission: to create and support jazz education and performance programs. JazzSet has highlights from the Kennedy Center.

They Drive At 55: The Monterey Jazz Anniversary Tour

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Christian McBride: Music Is About People, Not Grammys

Christian McBride. Chi Modu/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Chi Modu/Courtesy of the artist

Music

Christian McBride: Music Is About People, Not Grammys

The bassist has made the rounds with some of the best jazz musicians in the world, including Wynton Marsalis and Herbie Hancock. But for McBride, staying in the swing of things means reaching audiences. Guest host Celeste Headlee speaks with McBride about his new album, People Music.

Christian McBride: Music Is About People, Not Grammys

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