Double Bass When Your Sub is Christian McBride

[Jason Sypher]

So I woke up this morning to watch the man hisself subbing for me with Rhiannon. Of course she would get the world’s preeminent jazz bassist as the only person to fill in for me! So what did that feel like? Actually not bad at all. It was great to hear how a master would approach the material, not so unlike what I do, in some ways a bit straighter than me. His solos were untouchable. Not much I can do about that! But it was really fascinating to hear and watch. Truth is I’d expect only the best from him. A more interesting take for me would be someone like Charlie Haden, Edgar Meyer, Larry Grenadier…all players I’ve admired for decades. How would y’all feel Christian Mc Bride subbed your gig? I was prepared to feel like a complete hack but, outside of his pristine solos, I endured it pretty well.

 

[Wasnex]

How would y’all feel if he subbed your gig?

Congrats, I am sure it was an honor, as he's an incredible player IMHO.

I am sure I would wake up refreshed from such a wonderful dream...or if I was already awake, I might wonder who dosed with cocaine ; 'cause no way this would happen.

 

[Ryan in PDX]

no way this would happen.

Same.

JS, this is proof you're doing something/everything right... Just wow.

 

[Don Hergert]

Not at all at the same level, but in our circle we've been lucky enough twice to have people join our band who we and others would have guessed were/are "out of our league"...

People would casually ask us "how did you get [so-and-so] to join your band?"

The truth is, we just asked them. My impression is that people just like to be asked, and many times will be sitting on the side lines anxious to join a group that is progressive in some way.

I'd be surprised if Christian McBride hadn't heard a player named Jason Sypher and thought, "Hey, this player is doing some progressive work, I'd like to try that sometime.". And then he did!

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I would love the opportunity to experience this. I would expect that a lot of positive reinforcement could come of it, plus a fair amount of inspiration!

 

[Lo-E]

JS, this is proof you're doing something/everything right…

I’m inclined to agree.

 

[yodedude2]

any time i get a chance to hear mcbride perform, i wanna do that ~

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

I'd love to see him (or anyone, really) sub on any of my gigs. When that has happened in the past, I somehow never feel like I'm going to "lose the gig", it just helps to give a fresh perspective on things.

 

[Jim T]

I would hope to feel exactly like you did, Jason! Hearing a master’s choices in serving the music, to inform your choices.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Well, not the same situation…but several years ago I caught word the CMB was the special guest for a cigar event they were having at a steakhouse where I was playing with a trio. He checked me out, and I asked him to play a set on my bass…of course he did. He asked if I wanted him to play upright or electric, and I said “both”! He killed it…I was right in front of him. Good grief he’s so amazing.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Completely irrelevant, but I dreamed last night that I was attending a CMcB workshop and he was tremendously fat -- looked like Fat Albert of Cosby fame. He came in with a retinue of bodyguards who were retired clowns. The dream went to other whacky places before I could learn anything from him.

There is no chance he would ever sub for me, but I saw him live this year with New Jawn and it was awesome.

 

[damonsmith]

It is great watching him move into his "old master" phase. He is more inspiring than ever.

 

[Sam Sherry]

How would y’all feel Christian Mc Bride subbed your gig?

Jason, man, just think: Christian McBride listened to recordings of you to prepare for that gig!

+ + +

You may appreciate this funny story from @Ed Fuqua involving Ray Brown on a gig.

+ + +

As for me, here's yet another chapter in the book of, "Bring Your Best Every Time."
I was playing a dinky club-date. An older lady is watching and chats me up on the break.
OL: 'You sound nice.'
Me: 'Thanks, it's a work in progress.'
OL: 'No really. I heard a lot of nice bass playing when Cecil McBee was my son-in-law.'

 

[Bruce Calin]

Many years ago Cleveland Eaton sat in with my trio and played my bass. My main thought was,"There's no way that bass sounds like that when I play it."

 

[Joshua]

How would y’all feel Christian Mc Bride subbed your gig?

I'd be thinking "wow, he must have lost a heckuva bet!"

 

[Jason Sypher]

I would hope to feel exactly like you did, Jason! Hearing a master’s choices in serving the music, to inform your choices.

Actually, I won’t change a thing from what I play. My choices are my choices for a reason. My lines incorporate my experience in New Orleans, brass band music, oldtime jugbands, second line. I noticed immediately that none of that was there in his playing. Of course he sounded great, he even changed a quick chord and the pianist picked it up. But he sounded like a modern jazz master, which is what he is, which is what I’m not, and not what I am inspired to be. I would love to be able to solo like him, for sure. But I like what I play and I’m going to keep listening to what’s around me and playing what fits in the moment. What came as more of a surprise is why my band mates didn’t take advantage of having someone of that caliber in the trio and play JAZZ! Why the hell would they give him our relatively simple (originally I mistakenly referred to as rinky-dink) tunes instead of playing something that would showcase his underpinning? I think it was a huge mistake!

 

[salcott]

I’ve heard a lot of Rhiannon’s music and never thought it was rinky-dink. When I’ve been called to sub in established groups, I do my best to absorb their vibe/aesthetic. I’d never expect them to change to accommodate me.

 

[BobKay]

Rinky Dink - hope Rhiannon isn’t on TB.
Don’t sell you or your band mates short, Jason. The product she and her band put out is absolutely great, IMHO.

 

[james condino]

"Hey Ri-ri: I can't make the gig tonight, but I know a guy who knows a guy that plays some bass and y'all will get through the night ok..."

 

[Dr. Love]

If a bandleader thought they needed to call Christian McBride to cover my parts, he'd probably have to take over the gig permanently because my head wouldn't fit through the door anymore after that kind of compliment.