Bruce Hornsby & Christian McBride in Newark

Bruce Hornsby is an American singer-songwriter and pianist, born in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1954. He first became widely known as the leader of Bruce Hornsby and the Range, whose piano-led rock and pop included “The Way It Is,” “Mandolin Rain” and “The Valley Road.” His later albums, including Harbor Lights and Spirit Trail, drew more openly on jazz, folk, bluegrass and musical improvisation. From 1990 to 1992, Bruce Hornsby played keyboards as a touring member of the Grateful Dead. He later toured with the Noisemakers and performed with Ricky Skaggs after their collaborative album Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby. In 2015, he returned to the Grateful Dead repertoire for the Fare Thee Well concerts at Levi’s Stadium and Soldier Field.

Christian McBride is an American jazz bassist, composer and bandleader, born in Philadelphia in 1972. Known for his work on both acoustic and electric bass, he has recorded under his own name with groups including Inside Straight, New Jawn and Christian McBride Big Band. His albums include Gettin’ to It, The Good Feeling and Live at the Village Vanguard. In the 1990s, he toured and recorded in Joshua Redman’s quartet, whose lineup also included Brad Mehldau and Brian Blade. McBride later established a parallel live career with his own trios, quartets and large ensemble; a 2014 trio engagement at the Village Vanguard became a concert album. In 2016 he became artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival. Christian McBride plays frequently in New York, including engagements at Jazz at Lincoln Center. His West Coast appearances include concerts at SFJAZZ in San Francisco.