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Christian McBride added two more GRAMMY® Awards to his storied career this weekend, further solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in contemporary jazz. The bassist, composer, and bandleader took home Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for Without Further Ado, Vol. 1, while also earning Best Jazz Performance for “Windows,” his collaboration with Chick Corea and Brian Blade from the late pianist’s Trilogy 3.

The wins bring McBride’s career total to 11 GRAMMY® Awards, a milestone that reflects both his technical brilliance and his wide-ranging musical vision.

Released via Mack Avenue Records, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 showcases the Christian McBride Big Band alongside an impressive roster of guest vocalists, including Sting, Andy Summers, Samara Joy, Jeffrey Osborne, Dianne Reeves, José James, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Antoinette Henry. Rather than functioning as a traditional big band album, the project feels more like a curated celebration of McBride’s expansive musical life—one that effortlessly bridges jazz, R&B, and pop traditions.

Much of the album’s DNA was shaped behind the scenes of the annual NJPAC Gala, where McBride has served as musical director since 2012. Over the years, he crafted one-off big band arrangements for guest vocalists—charts that were often performed once and never revisited. Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 gave those arrangements new life, transforming fleeting moments into a cohesive and dynamic studio statement.

Critics took notice. DownBeat described the album as “a rewarding survey of the bassist’s love for jazz, R&B and pop,” while McBride and Jeffrey Osborne brought that spirit to late-night television with a performance of “Back In Love Again” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

The album also arrives at a moment many consider a vocal jazz resurgence, something McBride leans into fully. From Samara Joy’s elegant take on “Old Folks” to Cécile McLorin Salvant’s fiery reimagining of Cole Porter’s “All Through the Night,” the record feels both reverent and forward-thinking, grounded by the power and precision of the Christian McBride Big Band.

McBride’s second GRAMMY® of the night came for “Windows,” a standout performance alongside Chick Corea and Brian Blade on Trilogy 3. The recording, released posthumously, captures the kind of musical conversation that defined Corea’s legacy—and highlights McBride’s ability to elevate any collaboration he touches.

Beyond recording and performing, McBride continues to shape the future of jazz through education and leadership. He serves as Artistic Director of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, while also mentoring young musicians through JAZZ HOUSE KiDS and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Sessions. His reach extends into broadcasting as well, hosting NPR’s Jazz Night in America and The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian on SiriusXM.

With Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 and his latest GRAMMY® wins, Christian McBride isn’t just celebrating past achievements—he’s actively expanding the possibilities of what modern jazz can sound like, who it can include, and where it can go next.