CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE & URSA MAJOR

Christian McBride, an acclaimed bassist with 11 Grammy Awards, brings his ensemble Ursa Major to Athens. Established as a central figure in modern American music across genres including R&B, pop, rock, hip-hop, neo-soul, and classical, McBride centers improvisation and musical collaboration in his work. Beyond performing on the world's greatest stages, he serves as artistic director and educator, holding leadership roles at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the James Moody Jazz Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. In Athens, McBride performs with Ursa Major, an ensemble expressing his ongoing commitment to musical dialogue with younger generations. The group features saxophonist Nicole Glover, guitarist Ely Perlman, pianist Mike King, and drummer Savannah Harris. These rising voices in contemporary jazz bring distinctive personalities and collaborative energy to the stage.