Lookin' For a Change
Joe McBride Heads Up International

Joe McBride is a cool guy who moved to Coventry from Dallas, where he'd lived for 20 years. Why Cleveland? "Sometimes you need a change to move forward," he said in a recent phone conversation.

A practical reason for his 2005 move is that his record label is based here. McBride's relaxed take on life is reflected in "Lookin for a Change." Listening to it makes it obvious who some of his jazz heroes are--Miles Davis, Sonny Parker, Al Jarreau. McBride reinterprets songs written for pop singers such as Gnarls Barkley, Coldplay, Seal, and others in a way that reflects his interest in an array of performing styles (including Latin and R&B). He gets more personal with the title song, which he wrote.

Sample lyrics: "Well it don't take eyes to see, / this is not the way it's supposed to be. / Looking for a better day/ Looking for a brighter day." There's an insistent musical message that "we've got to get together," but it's not a lecture; it sounds joyful, upbeat. "We all need some uplifting," he said. "If you're doing what you're supposed to do in life, the money will follow. I love music; it's a gift that's been given to me by my heavenly father."

He's joined on the CD by his trio (guitarist Dan Wilson, bassist Roger Hines, and drummer Elijah Gilmore). The McBride Trio will be playing Sat 8/22 at 6PM at Shaker Square. Eat apples and hear later this month when they appear on Fri 8/28 at 6PM as part of Jazz Over the Valley at Mapleside Farms, 294 Pearl Road in Brunswick.

by Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly (:divend:)