An Evening of Elegance: Christian McBride’s Big Band Returns in Without Further Ado, Vol. 1

In 2025, Christian McBride—the bassist whose sound has bridged jazz, funk, soul, hip‑hop, and classical realms—reassembles his Grammy®-winning 17‑piece big band for a dazzling follow-up to 2020’s For Jimmy, Wes & Oliver. The result: Without Further Ado, Vol. 1, a masterclass in reinterpretation, groove, and vocal jazz brilliance, out on Mack Avenue Records on August 29, 2025.

Each track is a showcase of connection and craftsmanship: Sting and Andy Summers reunite for a breathtaking take on “Murder by Numbers”—their first collaboration since The Police’s reunion tour—McBride’s arrangement breathing new life into the classic. Samara Joy’s rendition of “Old Folks” radiates tender clarity, while Jeffrey Osborne turns “Back in Love Again” into a soul-drenched big-band reinterpretation. José James, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Dianne Reeves and Antoinette Henry round out the guest roster, each bringing their own personality to standards arranged with McBride’s signature elegance and swing.

Track Listing (Disc 1 / LP Side A–B)

1. Murder by Numbers (feat. Sting & Andy Summers)

2. Back in Love Again (feat. Jeffrey Osborne)

3. Old Folks (feat. Samara Joy)

4. Moanin’ (feat. José James)

5. All Through the Night (feat. Cécile McLorin Salvant)

6. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (feat. Dianne Reeves)

7. Come Rain or Come Shine (feat. Antoinette Henry)

8. Op. 49 Cold Chicken Suite, 3rd Movement 

This album evolved from McBride’s role as musical director of NJPAC’s annual Gala, where he wrote big‑band charts each year for featured artists. These arrangements—some heard only live once—find their studio home on Without Further Ado.

Critics and fans alike hailed it as a vocal jazz renaissance—a multigenerational lineup, each performance departs with fire, elegance, and deep groove, grounded in the McBride Big Band’s drive and cohesion.

Christian Lee McBride (born May 31, 1972 in Philadelphia) is regarded as one of the most versatile and respected figures in contemporary jazz. A nine‑time Grammy® winner, he has appeared on hundreds of recordings as sideman or leader, working with legends from Chick Corea and McCoy Tyner to Sting and Celine Dion.

As composer, arranger, producer, and bandleader, McBride fronted notable ensembles: Inside Straight, New Jawn, The Christian McBride Trio, Ursa Major, and his celebrated big band, which has won multiple Grammys including for For Jimmy, Wes & Oliver (2022) and The Good Feeling (2012).

Beyond performance, McBride is a cultural curator: Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival, JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, NJPAC’s TD James Moody Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. He hosts NPR’s Jazz Night in America and SiriusXM’s The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian.

This album isn’t just a collection of standards—it’s a celebration of relationship. McBride channels decades of collaborations into one vibrant big-band recording that bridges eras and genres. Guest vocalists from jazz, R&B, and pop reconvene under his arrangements, which sparkle with depth, swing, and sophistication. It reaffirms McBride’s place as a creative force and connector: always swinging, always inclusive, always elegant.