Jazz bass phenom Christian McBride (Chick Corea, Sting, James Brown) talks to fellow Epifani artist KJ (‪@TheOddysy‬) about finding the courage to step out on a limb and find the courage to make great music. It can be a terrifying prospect, especially when you're up in front of a live audience, or staring down a red, glowing record light in the studio.
In the final episode of the McBride interviews, Christian tells KJ about getting ready to do a series of duets with famed bluegrass and classical double bass master Edgar Myer. The first gig was to be in Aspen, CO and Christian was apprehensive, to say the least. "Edgar plays perfectly in tune, his notes never choke," says McBride. It's a lot to live up to.
In talking it over with his new musical partner, Christian was surprised to learn that Edgar was nervous, too. They talked about it a while and decided that it was necessary to "jump off this cliff together," to go on a journey and see what happens. The rest, as they say, is history.
McBride maintains that fear is nothing to fear. "Fear is healthy," says the prodigy from Philly. "There's nothing wrong with being nervous, it means you care." What would be more damaging, he says, is never having jumped off the cliff in the first place. "Even if you fall on your face, at least you learn." Wise words.
In McBride's world failure is necessary. He tells KJ that he has been scared, but never enough not to try something musical. Perhaps that's why some of the greatest musicians in the world trust him to hold down the low end. It takes guts to get up there night after night, trusting your instincts, and taking chances. And, sure, sometimes you fail-sometimes spectacularly. But the lowest lows of a career give us a glimpse of the highest highs. After all, one cannot exist without the other.
Christian McBride and KJ (it stands for Kevin Jacoby) have both been playing Epifani amps for decades. Each bassist favors a selection of UL 901 amplifiers and DIST2 dual-impedance bass speaker cabinets.
Audio/Video by 23b Productions
Shot on location at La Bella Strings Showroom / The Guitar Shop NYC