Joe McBride Plays His Hand With Texas Hold 'Em

Star power... some folks affiliate that word with bling bling, fancy cars and digs, etc. However, in this day and age, it takes a helluva lot to make seven albums and still be kickin' it. Joe McBride's star power is all about the love of the music. He is delightful person and that sparkling personality shines through in his music.

The man has a unique global appeal, best summarized by a quote from a music critic in Cape Town, South Africa, who raved about his performance and praised the versatile composer/performer's talent for "putting back the soul into what has become a rather soulless smooth jazz idiom."

McBride has been part of Heads Up International's wonderful invasion of South Africa since 1999, culminating with his contribution of "11 Ks to Freedom," a tribute to Nelson Mandela, recorded on the 2000 internationally acclaimed recording "Smooth Africa." McBride has established himself as one of the genre's most popular artists with his label releases - "Grace" (1992), "A Gift for Tomorrow" (1994), "Keys to Your Heart " (1996) and "Double Take" (1998), the latter of which featured top smooth jazz all-stars Dave Koz, Peter White, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Larry Carlton. His 2000 release, "Texas Rhythm Club," included his longtime Dallas-based touring band and was a loving tribute to the Lone Star State's underappreciated jazz scene. He was joined once again with the Texas Rhythm Club on "Keepin' It Real" in 2002, where McBride complemented his signature keyboard sound with inspired exotic influences reflecting the many loves of his musical life, include his gospel background, Brazilian samba, and the music of South Africa.

On his seventh release for Heads Up International, "Texas Hold 'Em," he delivers a set of 11, mostly original, contemporary jazz/blues-based tunes in the classic McBride style. One of his best overall recordings to date, the poker-oriented titles are as much fun as the tunes they belong to: "Big Slick," "Double Down," "Texas Hold 'Em," "In & Out," "No Limit," "All In" and "One Eyed Jack."

McBride, a St. Louis native who trekked to the sunny shores of San Diego for a while before finishing his musical studies at North Texas State and making Texas his home, believes the central location of Dallas allows for many different genres of music to influence its jazz and blues scene.

"We're special because we're not really

West Coast or East Coast, but what can only be described as the third coast," he says. "The jazz here is influenced by the blues in Chicago which isn't that far, as well as the rich zydeco heritage of New Orleans. Then there's the southern funk and gospel. All of that contributes to what now comes naturally for us transplanted natives. And, of course, smooth jazz has gotten a big hand from the Oasis, which was one of the country's first stations in this format."

It was that combination of great musicianship and good, kindly people that convinced McBride to stay in Dallas after graduating from North Texas State, where he first met Dave Love, a trumpeter who later founded Heads Up International.

"When I first moved here and didn't know a soul, I was at a music store checking out a keyboard and playing my music on it," he says. "Another musician shopping at the store heard me and told me I should meet a friend of his. I met the friend, we started playing music together, formed a band, and, well, I'm still here."

He's still here alright, alive and kickin' it with a joy and style that is more than smooth jazz... it's downright inspirational . The amazing McBride took a few minutes out of his shedule to chat with Starpoynt.

Star - Talk about your musical training&... when did you first pick up an instrument?

JM - When I was four... I started tinkering when I was 4. It wasn't in the house at first... I would go to a relative's house and started tinkering around with it and then my parents bought me a piano later. In school I had choir and music classes Later I moved to Dallas and attended Noth Texas State.

Star - Who were your early influences?
JM - A lot of things, from Motown... Stevie,