Points of Light Christian McBride

• 1 Sakura 03:58
• 2 Two Check 05:13
• 3 Cows 06:25
• 4 Same Folks 06:08
• 5 Familiar Steps 04:51
• 6 A Morning Story 05:25
• 7 Orquíeda 04:00
• 8 No Rhyme, No Reason 05:44
• Total Runtime 41:44

Info for Points of Light

Christian McBride has worn many hats across his 30-plus-year career: bandleader, radio personality, artistic director, 11x GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, composer, arranger, and collaborator with some of music’s biggest names including Sting, Billie Eilish, James Brown, Paul McCartney and more. But at the heart of his work is a deep commitment to creating opportunities for younger artists to share their voices on the world stage. With Ursa Major and their debut album Points of Light, McBride steps into what can only be described as his “Art Blakey era,” spotlighting the next generation of musicians shaping the future of jazz and beyond. Featuring Nicole Glover, Mike King, Ely Perlman, and Savannah Harris, Points of Light introduces a bold new ensemble poised to take over the conversation.

Christian McBride, acoustic bass (tracks 1, 2, 4-8), electric bass (tracks 1, 3)
Nicole Glover, tenor saxophone (tracks 1-7), soprano saxophone (track 8)
Savannah Harris, drums
Mike King, piano (tracks 1, 2, 4-8), synths (tracks 1, 8), Fender Rhodes (tracks 1-3, 7), organ (tracks 2, 3, 8)
Ely Perlman, guitar
Guests:
Terrace Martin, Korg Kronos (tracks 1, 6), Mini Moog (tracks 7, 8), Oberheim (track 8), Vocoder (8)
Quintin Gulledge, Clavinet (track 3), Oberheim (track 7), Prophet 5 (track 8)

Recorded September 14-16, 2025 at Sear Sound in New York, NY
Mixed and Mastered at Amplified Art & Sound in New York, NY
Associate Producer: Christian McBride Producer: Terrace Martin

Christian McBride
When Philadelphia-born bassist/bandleader Christian McBride arrived in New York in 1989 as a Juilliard student, he was the “Godchild of the Groove” with unlimited potential.

Christian McBride is a master musician who has appeared on over 300 records. He is easily one of the most accomplished bass players alive, and his resume as a bandleader is also quite impressive. Join us at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola to experience New Jawn, which, translated from Philadelphian, could be described as McBride’s “new joint.” The quartet includes Josh Evans, Nasheet Waits and Marcus Strickland, musicians that are regularly featured at Jazz at Lincoln Center and all over the city both as bandleaders and as sidemen with some of jazz’s biggest names. Fans of McBride’s other small groups will surely love this ensemble, and its unusual two-horns, no-piano lineup gives it a unique flavor. With just bass and drums holding down the rhythm section, McBride and Waits provide as rich and driving a foundation as any group could hope for.

This album contains no booklet.