The National Jazz Museum in Harlem invites you to join in the final month of programming in 2009! The month begins and ends with the co-director of the museum, Christian McBride, who comes off the road for five FREE Jazz for Curious Listeners sessions focusing on the role of the bass in jazz history, the jazz ensemble, and in his illustrious career.

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Christian McBride (bass)
(7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Grammy Award winner Christian McBride, chameleonic virtuoso of the acoustic and electric bass, stands tall at the top of the jazz world. Beginning in 1989 – the beginning of an amazing career in which he still has wider-reaching goals to attain – the Philadelphian has thus far been first-call-requested to accompany literally hundreds of fine artists, ranging in an impressive array from McCoy Tyner and Sting to Kathleen Battle and Diana Krall.

His clear mastery of the bass, undisputed respect and admiration of his peers, and acclaim in the media offers a unique opportunity for those in attendance at tonight’s session. Hear one of the greatest artists on his instrument discuss the role of the bass in the jazz ensemble throughout jazz history and also demonstrate on his own bass.

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Ben Riley (drums)
(6:30 pm – 8:30 pm)

The association that secured Ben’s place in jazz history was his four year stint with the legendary Thelonious Monk. He toured extensively with Monk and recorded several now classic albums with the pianist, such as It’s Monk’s Time, Underground, and Straight, No Chaser. A marvelous example of Riley’s playing with Monk is also found in the black-and-white DVD released by Jazz Icons.

During his tenure with Monk, Riley also showcased his ability to play with a wide variety of musicians, including Earl “Fatha” Hines, Andrew Hill, Hank Jones, Barry Harris and Clark Terry. After leaving Monk in the late 1960’s, Ben chose to take time off from the road and took a position with the Wyandanch, New York school district, where he remained for five years.

In 1992, because of his vast contribution to jazz music, Riley was inducted into his hometown-based Coastal Jazz Hall of Fame in Savannah, Georgia.

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Greg Tate
(7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Greg Tate was a staff writer at The Vil¬lage Voice from 1987–2003. His writings on culture and politics have also been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Artforum, Rolling Stone, VIBE, Premiere, Essence, Suede, The Wire, One World, Downbeat, and JazzTimes. He was recently acknowledged by The Source magazine as one of the ‘Godfathers of Hiphop Journalism’ for his groundbreaking work on the genre’s social, political, economic and cultural implications in the period when most pundits considered it a fad.

His published interviews include dialogues with Miles Davis, George Clinton, Richard Pryor, Carlos Santana, Lenny Kravitz, Sade, Erykah Badu, Wayne Shorter, Joni Mitchell, Lisa Bonet, Samuel R Delany, Ice Cube, Dexter Gordon, Betty Carter, King Sunny Ade, Chuck D of Public Enemy, Cassandra Wilson, Jill Scott, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Ornette Cole¬man, Henry Threadgill and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.

Other Upcoming Events

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
A Month with Christian McBride: On Film
(7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Monday, December 14th, 2009
All about jazz in the 21st century – Part One with Jonathan Batiste
(7:00 pm)

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
A Month with Christian McBride: My Bands
(7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
All about jazz in the 21st century – Part Two with Jonathan Batiste
(7:00 pm)

Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Ray Santos, (saxophonist/composer)
(6:30 pm– 8:30 pm)

More Event Details

Performance Location

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem
104 East 126th Street
New York, NY 10035
212 348-8300
http://www.jazzmuseuminharlem.org/

Related Posts

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3. Press Release: Cintas Foundation and the Frost Art Museum Announce Annual Competition for the 2009 Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition
4. Upcoming Events Calendar: Turning Point Cafe in New York
5. Press Release: Jazz Vocalist Antoinette Montague releases her 2009 performance schedule