CHRISTIAN MACBRIDE BIG BAND / ROBERTA ON ARTS

Roberta on the Arts

Christian McBride Big Band with Nicholas Payton at Dizzy's Club "Coca-Cola"

Christian McBride Big Band
with Nicholas Payton

Featuring:
Christian McBride on Bass
http://www.christianmcbride.com/

Nicholas Payton on Trumpet
http://www.nicholaspayton.com/

Melissa Walker on Vocals
http://www.melissawalker.com/home.html

and
Christian McBride Big Band
http://www.myspace.com/christianmcbrideband

At
Frederick P. Rose Hall
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola
Broadway at 60th Street
NY, NY
212.258.9595
(Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola Website)
Todd Barkan, Programming Director
Scott Thompson, Press

Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
February 27, 2010

The Christian McBride Big Band with Nicholas Payton on trumpet entertained a packed Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola tonight, enhanced by Todd Barkan’s enthusiastic introductions and accolades. McBride, a bassist with super stage presence, presented “Miss Fine”, a new piece for his Big Band, and it included Nicholas Payton on smooth, refined trumpet. The second piece featured Payton, plus Todd Williams on tenor sax. The Big Band sound was encompassing and energized, as the brassy trumpets sent powerful percussive blasts all the way to the rear bar seats. “Broadway”, a perfect addition to this second set, was ornamented with retro, rambunctious swing. Bass and sax traded leads, and I loved this smooth, sensational music.

“The More I See You” was performed with Melissa Walker with the Big Band, a song from a Betty Grable film, “Diamond Horseshoe”. “Taste of Honey” was next, on vocals and piano, and Ms. Walker certainly has honey infused melodies. Her repartee with McBride was warm and seasoned. “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” was a vocal bass duo, with a bit of Ella and a bit of scat. “In a Hurry”, featuring trumpets and trombones, was racing and vivacious. McBride took a long bass riff with a faster version of the busy theme. The crowd was wildly enthused.

FONTE http://www.robertaonthearts.com/