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Esperanza Spalding
Seven collaborative and five solo albums into her career at 31, Esperanza Spalding has always resolutely, intuitively, deftly expanded upon both her art and herself as a world-renowned genre- bending composer, bassist and vocalist. Spalding’s work, grounded in jazz traditions but never bound by them, has won her four Grammy awards and brought her onstage at the Oscars, the Nobel Prize Ceremony, the White House, and with Prince and Herbie Hancock. Not only does she know who she is, we know who she is.
Or, rather, we think we do. The elastic self and work of a true artist is always changing; ideas are channeled, shape-shifting becomes necessary. Emily’s D+Evolution (pronounced “d plus evolution”) is where we meet Emily—both Esperanza’s middle name and the label for the spirit- muse that flows through this multi-dimensional, theatrical performance artwork wrapped in a brilliantly urgent, vivacious record. With 6 tracks co-produced by Tony Visconti (David Bowie) and drawing, at times, from wellsprings as disparate as Cream to Shostakovich to St. Vincent, Emily’s D+Evolution is a kaleidoscopic project; raw, honest, luminous.
"Whether you want to see it as devolution and evolution, and the place where they co-exist without one diminishing the other, or...barely having the tools that you need, but having to move forward, and having to keep moving," Spalding explained to NPR in a recent interview, the album conceptually addresses the always exciting, sometimes messy process of reconciling the aspects of our selves that are in conflict. Exploding with literal and proverbial electricity, this album’s complex but immediate compositions were committed to tape partially live, and partially in front of a control room packed full of 20 or more onlookers. The trio of Spalding (fretless electric bass and vocals), Matthew Stevens (electric guitar) and Justin Tyson and Karriem Riggins (splitting drum duties) often decided to use the first take—a testament to the project’s particular energy and Spalding’s virtuosity. Many of the compositions on Emily’s D+Evolution were, after all, incubated onstage during the rigorous live performance schedule that preceded it.
Armed with the entity of Emily flowing through her, Spalding’s visionary performance of the album is an experience to behold and an integral part of the project itself. Here, Spalding is, for the first time, incorporating stage design, movement and acting into her already vivid musical storytelling practice. She’s working with stage director and playwright Will Wiegler to manifest her concepts physically now that they’ve come to life aurally.
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Shabaka Hutchings: Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
by Chris May
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes ... Since signing with with Impulse! in 2018, Shabaka Hutchings has become best known for his incendiary work on tenor saxophone with Sons Of Kemet, The Comet Is Coming and Shabaka & The Ancestors. Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace marks the start of a gentler, more instrospective phase in his music making. The trigger came during the pandemic, when Hutchings fell in love with the Japanese shakuhachi flute. The quietly spoken instrument first edged itself ...
read moreSing, Sing a Song
by Patrick Burnette
Time for an all-singing, no-dancing, some joke-telling show featuring four female vocalists. We've got three brand newish releases and one catalogue item which, given it debuted after we were out of college, is making us feel old. Like everything else. Tune in to find out which Grammy Winner™ we annoy. Playlist Discussion of Holly Cole's album Blame It On My Youth (Manhattan) 2:04 Discussion of Lizzie Thomas' album Duo Encounters (Dot Time) 17:15 Discussion of Nadia Washington's album ...
read moreFred Hersch & Esperanza Spalding at Jazz Alley
by Paul Rauch
Fred Hersch & Esperanza Spalding Jazz Alley Seattle, WA January 24, 2023 The musical union of pianist Fred Hersch and bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding at first evokes images of the iconic pianist playing duo with one of the prominent voices of twenty-first century jazz, a bassist of note and a formidable vocalist. But as is exemplified on their new recording, Alive at the Village Vanguard (Palmetto, 2023), the current tour features Hersch with Spalding ...
read moreFred Hersch & Esperanza Spalding: Alive at the Village Vanguard
by John Chacona
Is it possible that we underestimate Esperanza Spalding? That would be quite a trick for an artist who has hardly been out of the spotlight since leapfrogging a couple of nobodies named Drake and Justin Bieber to take the Grammy award for Best New Artist in 2011. With a recent resume that includes a high-profile teaching position at Harvard (now ended), a collaboration with preeminent jazz composer Wayne Shorter on the opera “Iphigenia" and a fifth Grammy for 2022's Songwrights ...
read moreNew Releases by Esperanza Spalding and Altoizm Plus A Jazz Celebration of the Songs of Joan Whitney
by Mary Foster Conklin
This broadcast presents new releases from bassist Esperanza Spalding, new group Altoizm (Greg Ward, Sharel Cassity, Rajiv Halim), flutist Ragan Whiteside and vocalists Queen Esther, Ann Hampton Callaway with birthday shoutouts to songwriter Joan Whitney (Candy, Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickiens), trumpeter Carol Morgan, vocalists Lezlie Harrison and Mavis Staples, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music.Playlist Greg Ward, Sharel Cassity, Rajiv Halim “Thoroughbred" from Altoizm (AFAR Music) ...
read moreBassisterhood - Companion Mixtape
by Ludovico Granvassu
Straight-ahead to experimental, electric or acoustic, funky or bluesy, instrumental or with vocals, these female bass players cover the whole low-end gamut with their fascinating projects. This mixtape is a fun-filled companion to the two parts of our show “Bassisterhood" (click here for Part 1 and Part 2). Happy listening! Playlist Esperanza Spalding “Radio Song" Radio Music Society (Heads Up) 0:00 Manou Gallo “Lève-Toi Et Move" Afro Groove Queen (Contre-Jour) 6:26 Bootsy Collins with ...
read moreBorn on the Cusp of Drama - Celebrating Esperanza Spalding, Bobby Troup and Laura Nyro
by Mary Foster Conklin
In astrology, October 18 zodiac people are on the Libra-Scorpio cusp, referred to as the Cusp of Drama. Esperanza Spalding, Bobby Troup and Laura Nyro share that birthday, which would certainly make for a dramatic dinner party. Besides shoutouts to this dynamic trio, vocalist Lee Wiley and pianist Thelonious Monk are celebrated as well. The broadcast features an Autumn bounty of new releases: from vocalist Jackie Myers, pianists Rina, Angelica Sanchez & Marilyn Crispell}, and a newly discovered concert recording ...
read moreIconic Pianist/Composer Fred Hersch And Visionary Jazz Vocalist Esperanza Spalding Celebrate New Album At New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Source:
AMT Public Relations
Pianist/composer Fred Hersch and vocalist/bassist/songwriter Esperanza Spalding can both be counted among the most acclaimed and inventive artists in modern jazz. The Village Vanguard is the music’s most reveredvenue, having played host to countless legendary musicians and beloved live recordings. The duo and the club converge for a magical performance on Alive at the Village Vanguard, a rare opportunity for listeners to enjoy the singular and thrilling collaboration between two marquee jazz artists at the top of their game. Due ...
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Esperanza Spalding and William Parker Perform At Mind-Builders 40th Anniversary Gala On November 3 At Lehman College
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
Mind-Builders 40th Anniversary Gala with Esperanza Spalding on November 3 at Lehman College Lehman Stages/Lovinger Theatre 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West Bronx, NY 10468 “Magic...pure imagination and also incredibly tactile." —NPR Music Mind-Builders 40th Anniversary Gala at Lehman College celebrate the 40th anniversary of Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center at Lovinger Theater at our first ever Gala event. 5:30 PM: VIP Reception includes Meet The Artists 7:00 PM: Performances with Audience/Artist Q&A Performances by special celebrity guests/honorees ...
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Watch Grammy Winner Esperanza Spalding Record Her New Album In 77 Hours On Facebook Live
Source:
HypeBot
Making an album is tough, tough work and doing it in the spotlight is even tougher. Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding is ripping the veil off the process by broadcasting it all on Facebook live and adding the extra pressure of a 77 hour deadline. WATCH: “Over just three days, we're attempting to concept, write, record, and produce an album of ten songs. Entering the studio with nothing prepared. Testing the theory that creations are at their most powerful the moment ...
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Esperanza Spalding Headlines Free Concert At Celebrate Brooklyn!
Source:
Matt Gross
BRIC is pleased to announce that Esperanza Spalding will headline a free concert at the Celebrate Brooklyn! Performing Arts Festival (Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th St. & Prospect Park West), which is presented by Squarespace, on Friday, June 12. The concert, free to the public (with a suggested $3 contribution at the gate), begins at 7:30 P.M. with an opening performance by acclaimed vocalist José James. The captivating bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding’s “sprawling collage of jazz fusion, Brazilian, and even ...
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BRIC Announces 2015 Celebrate Brooklyn! Lineup including Esperanza Spalding And Ghost Train Orchestra
Source:
Matt Gross
CELEBRATE BROOKLYN! 2015 LINEUP WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 8:00 P.M. Chaka Khan Opening Night Concert (FREE) With ten Grammys, ten #1 Billboard hits, 22 albums, and a career spanning 40 years and influencing countless other singers, Chaka Khan truly is the “Queen of Funk.” Songs from her time with multiracial trailblazers Rufus and as a solo artist —“Tell Me Something Good,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “I’m Every Woman,” and “I Feel for You” to name just a few — are dance floor staples ...
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Esperanza Spalding, Kenny Werner To Play A "Concert To Feed The Hungry"
Source:
Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
ESPERANZA SPALDING, KENNY WERNER TO PLAY A “CONCERT TO FEED THE HUNGRY" Friday, April 25, 2014 at 7:00 PM Interchurch Center - 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY On Friday, April 25, 2014 at 7:00 p.m., Esperanza Spalding and Kenny Werner, two world-renowned jazz artists, will headline at Buddhist Global Relief's annual “Concert To Feed The Hungry." The concert raises much-needed awareness and funds to support the global fight to end hunger and malnutrition. In addition to their prolific output ...
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Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival Starts June 22 -- 9 Days, 300 Concerts, 1000+ Artists, 18 Venues! Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Steve Martin, Esperanza Spalding, Daryl Hall, Keb’ Mo’ & Zappa Plays Zappa To Headline
Source:
Dalmath Associates Inc.
Rochester NY: The 11th edition of the nine-day Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival (XRIJF) presented by M&T Bank opens in less than three weeks on June 22! The festival runs through June 30 and will present more than 1000 artists performing at 18 venues and outdoor stages, in 300 concerts, including almost 70 free concerts. Last year’s festival drew more than 182,000. With one of the nation’s most extensive international lineups, artists will travel from 14 countries including Canada, Sweden, ...
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Esperanza Spalding “Radio Music Society” To Headline At Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival On Saturday June 23 Tickets On Sale Friday April 13th
Source:
Dalmath Associates Inc.
Rochester, NY: Esperanza Spalding made her debut at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival in 2007 performing in the Club Pass Series at Max of Eastman Place. Five years later, the GRAMMY Award-winning Best New Artist will headline at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre on Saturday June 23 at 8 p.m. The young bassist/vocalist/composer was one of the biggest breakout stars of 2011not just in jazz, but in all genres of music. Her receipt of the 2010 GRAMMY for Best ...
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Enough With The Search For A "Jazz Savior"
Source:
Groove Notes
Every so often, a barrage of articles and blog posts come out claiming that jazz has found the musician or musicians that are going to “save” jazz. More often than not, these musicians are achieving some current commercial success and popularity among a broad audience outside of the typical “jazz head” community. The newest jazz savior? Recently, bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding and keyboardist Robert Glasper have been deemed the new saviors of jazz. Both are very talented instrumentalists, and it is ...
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Esperanza Spalding: New Video
Source:
JamBase
ESPERANZA SPALDING DEBUTS “BLACK GOLD" FEATURING ALGEBRA BLESSETT Eclectic jazz songstress and upright bass virtuoso Esperanza Spalding is back with the video for “Black Gold," the vivacious first single from her upcoming album, Radio Music Society (out March 20). “Black Gold" features guest vocals from neo-soul songbird Algebra Blessett. The eSingle is available for digital download at iTunes here. Check out tour dates and the new video below. Esperanza Spalding Tour Dates
April 18—Buffalo, NY—Center for the Arts April 19—Cleveland, ...
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- Ben Ratliff, The New York Times
“Ms. Spalding is still enamored of Wayne Shorter’s harmonic depth and Stevie Wonder’s melodic lift, but her frame of reference has broadened in salutary ways: ‘Funk Your Fear’ ha(s) the serpentine gnarl of a Funkadelic anthem, and ‘Noble Nobles’ brazenly evoke(s) Hejira-era Joni Mitchell.”—NY Times
Fini Bearman
vocals
Pepa Niebla
vocals
Niebla
vocals
Laila Biali
piano and vocals
Rachael Thoms
vocals
Jess Baldwin
vocals
Linhares
vocals
Emily Braden
vocals
Gretchen Elise
composer / conductor
Judith Nijland
vocals
Henk Kraaijeveld
vocals
Janet Evra
vocals
Konstantin Ivchuk
guitar
Etsuko Tajima
piano
Nadine Axisa
vocals
Joy Ellis
piano
The Aubrey Wilson Quartet
vocals
Vanessa Vacanti
vocals
Marc Crofts
violin
Irini Konstantinidi
vocals
Luciana Morelli
vocals
Germana Stella La Sorsa
vocals
Laura-Simone Martin
violin
Lura
vocals
COPUS
band / ensemble / orchestra
Adam Beaudoin
vocalsHila Hutmacher
vocals
Laura Marti
vocals
Sofia Goodman
drumsPhotos
Music
But Not for Me
From: Alive at the Village VanguardBy Esperanza Spalding
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Esperanza Spalding
Instrument: Bass
Born: October 18, 1984
