Grammy Winner Christian McBride’s Epic Composition Celebrates the Civil Rights Movement
‘The Movement Revisited’ to be performed Feb. 10 at Maltz Performing Arts Center
Eight-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, bandleader and host of NPR's Jazz Night in America Christian McBride presents his acclaimed opus, The Movement Revisited, in a concert honoring five Civil Rights icons and celebrating Black history.
Part of the 2023-2024 Performing Arts Series at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®), the event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Maltz Performing Arts Center (1855 Ansel Road). Doors open at 7 p.m.
"Christian is a dynamic and accomplished performer who brings a phenomenal sense of storytelling through music," said Terri Pontremoli, director of the Tri-C Performing Arts Series. "The Movement Revisited is a deep and powerful work, and we're thrilled to present it in Cleveland."
The Movement Revisited — which celebrates Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr. and former President Barack Obama — is McBride's call for the audience to remember the struggles and accomplishments of the past and to renew their commitment to the ongoing pursuit of human rights.
Hailed as the most in-demand bassist of his generation, McBride is a luminary with one hand reaching for new heights and the other extended in fellowship. He got his start in 1989 when he was recruited by saxophonist Bobby Watson while still a student at Juilliard. His body of work and gift for storytelling help bridge the gap between artist, music and audience.
McBride performed with Billie Eilish on Saturday Night Live in December and played to a sold-out crowd during Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, presented by KeyBank, in June.
In addition to a big band, a gospel choir and narrators, the concert features pianist Michael King, drummer Terreon Gully, vibraphonist Warren Wolf and vocalist Alicia Olatuja.
Five narrators will serve as the voices for Rosa Parks (Tasha Baston, spouse of Tri-C President Michael A. Baston), Martin Luther King Jr. (WKYC anchor Leon Bibb), Muhammad Ali (FOX 8 anchor Wayne Dawson), Malcolm X (former state representative and actor Peter Lawson Jones) and Barack Obama (Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb).
The evening will begin with Tri-C President Michael A. Baston and the Reverend Dr. Otis Moss Jr. speaking about the Civil Rights Movement in Cleveland and Moss's friendship with King. Moss served as pastor of Olivet Baptist Church for 33 years.
Tickets to the performance are free for Tri-C students with a valid ID and $35 for general admission. Purchase tickets through the Maltz Performing Arts Center box office.
The Performing Arts Series is sponsored by The Ohio Arts Council, the Kulas Foundation and the Harry K. and Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation.
Tri-C's 2023-2024 Performing Arts season features classical piano, jazz and dance, bringing a world-class artistic experience to the Greater Cleveland community. Learn more about the Tri-C Performing Arts Season 2023-2024 performances.
January 11, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu