Montclair Musician Christian McBride Racks Up Another Grammy

Christian McBride, Montclair resident, Jazz House Kids Board Member and artistic director of last year's amazingly successful Montclair Jazz Festival, picked up another Grammy award this week.

The talented musician accepted the Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for "The Good Feeling" onstage at the 54th annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.

In addition, Professor Robert Aldridge of Montclair State University’s John J. Cali School of Music received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. He was awarded the Grammy for his opera, Elmer Gantry, along with librettist Herschel Garfein.

Meanwhile, friends and neighbors should try to hear McBridge live in the NJ-NY area in the coming months as he'll be playing in a variety of venues. And he'll also be giving back to the community for free at this year's Montclair Jazz Festival, produced by Jazz House Kids on Aug. 25, 2012 in Nishuane Park.

McBride is arguably the top bass player in the jazz world right now, and is certainly one of the most sought-after sidemen in any musical category, having appeared on over 250 recordings in a 20-year career that began when he was 19.

Those appearances include four Grammy-winning recordings, including "Five Peace Band" in 2010, which saw McBride team up with such heavyweights as pianist Chick Corea and guitarist John McLaughlin to win the Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental.

He's also played with jazz legends including Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck, McCoy Tyner and Freddy Hubbard as well as pop stars ranging from James Brown to Sting and Carly Simon.

In addition, Aldridge of Montclair State University’s John J. Cali School of Music received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony held February 12 in Los Angeles.

Additionally, the CD of the opera, “Aldridge: Elmer Gantry,” won the Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Classical. The CD’s producer, Blanton Alspaugh, had received a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year, Classical, but did not win in that category.

“On behalf of the entire John J. Cali School of Music, we congratulate Bob Aldridge on this extraordinary achievement,” said Robert Cart, director of the John J. Cali School of Music. “Winning the Grammy for Best Contemporary Classical Composition is yet another achievement for this acclaimed opera and we are extremely thrilled for Bob and Herschel that Elmer Gantry has been honored with this award.”