Christian McBride turns his attention to the next generation on Points Of Light, the debut album from his new ensemble Ursa Major. After more than three decades as one of jazz’s most accomplished bassists, bandleaders, composers and collaborators, the 11-time GRAMMY winner takes on another role here: mentor.

McBride has worked across an extraordinary range of music, alongside everyone from James Brown, Sting and Paul McCartney to Billie Eilish. But Ursa Major taps into the tradition of bandleaders such as Art Blakey, who gave gifted young musicians a place to develop their own voices while bringing fresh energy to the music.

That spirit runs throughout Points Of Light, with McBride’s bass anchoring a group built for interaction and improvisation. The generational mix gives the music its character, pairing the instincts of a veteran bandleader with musicians eager to challenge one another and take the material in unexpected directions.

For Ursa Major, McBride has assembled saxophonist Nicole Glover, pianist Mike King, guitarist Ely Perlman and drummer Savannah Harris, four musicians with distinct musical personalities of their own. Rather than simply surrounding himself with rising talent, McBride gives them room to contribute to the identity of the band.

Points Of Light captures that chemistry and introduces Ursa Major as a group built around both experience and discovery, with McBride providing the foundation while a new generation helps point the way ahead.