GRAMMY Winner Christian McBride Announced as 缅北强奸鈥檚 Commencement Keynote Speaker

04/02/2024

Renowned musician, producer, and creative director鈥檚 family hails from Maryland鈥檚 Eastern Shore

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The Office of the President is pleased to announce eight-time GRAMMY-winning musician and renowned radio host as the keynote speaker at 缅北强奸鈥檚 241st Commencement Exercises for the class of 2024. The event will take place on Sunday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. on the campus lawn.  

An eight-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader, McBride serves as the artistic director of the historic Newport Jazz Festival, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. In addition to artistic directing and consistent touring with his ensembles, he hosts NPR鈥檚 鈥淛azz Night in America鈥 and "The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian" on SiriusXM.  

鈥淚鈥檓 really looking forward to speaking at 缅北强奸鈥檚 commencement in May,鈥 said McBride, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the College. 鈥淢y family is from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, so I have great memories tied to the area. I can鈥檛 wait to speak to the young people at 缅北强奸 and congratulate them on their achievement."  

McBride鈥檚 approach to his talent, passions, and career are well in line with 缅北强奸 College鈥檚 mission to cultivate civically engaged citizen leaders. In addition to his many music industry accolades, he is also a respected educator and advocate for youth and serves as artistic director of Jazz House KiDS and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Sessions.  

McBride鈥檚 colossal sound, strikingly vast body of work, and huge strides within the realm of artistic directorship are characteristic of a self-identified perpetual student, whose love of learning feeds his passion, and whose passion has led a generation of musicians 鈥 within jazz and beyond.  

鈥淚n inviting him to speak and bestowing this honorary degree, we wish to recognize Christian鈥檚 immense contribution to jazz music, America鈥檚 original musical art form, and his accomplishments as one of the foremost bassists of a generation,鈥 said 缅北强奸 College President Mike Sosulski. 鈥淲e also wish to honor his role as an educator and ambassador for jazz music, in addition to being a composer and performer. Christian exemplifies what we hope to see in all our graduates, which is a deep understanding of how the fine arts, an integral part of the liberal arts, can transport us, inspire us, and enrich our lives each and every day.鈥 

Whether behind the bass or away from it, McBride is always part of the music. From jazz to R&B, and pop/rock and hip-hop/neo-soul to classical, he is a luminary with one hand reaching for new heights, and the other extended in fellowship. Singular in his torch-bearing role, McBride takes none of his success for granted.  

鈥淢y career is no longer for the benefit of just me,鈥 McBride has said.  

 

 

Special accommodations can be made for members of the media wishing to cover the event. Please reach out to the Director of News & Media Relations at dellisfalcon2FREEwashcoll with media inquiries.