I did not know what to expect Saturday night when I saw Christian McBride in concert at Garcia's in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.

The bassist's music spans multiple genres. With Joshua Redmond, he recorded some excellent smooth jazz. He accompanied many great singers, such as Peabo Bryson and Ann Wilson, as they crooned torch songs. He has jammed with legends like Chick Corea and DeJohnette, playing everything from bebop to avant-garde jazz.

Friday night at Garcia's, McBride brought his new band, Ursa Major, which consists of himself and 4 young musicians - Ely Perlman (guitar), Nicole Glover (saxophone), Mike King (piano), and Savannah Harris (drums). The set consisted primarily of straight-ahead jazz with delightful melodies, interrupted by instrumental solos and improvisation.

The strength of this young crew made the evening special. McBride is a brilliant musician, but he served as the glue on this night, allowing his proteges to shine. When the bassist did take a solo, it impressed as much as you would expect.

Christian McBride continues to innovate as his career matures. This tour shows his willingness to pass that innovation spirit on to the next generation of jazz musicians.