2. Meet Esperanza Spalding | Early Life Born in 1984 in Portland Oregon. Inspired by Yo Yo Ma when he performed on an episode of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood at age four. By five she taught herself violin well enough to land a spot in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon. She performed with the orchestra for ten years and became concert master at 15.
3. Esperanza Spalding She also played the oboe and clarinet but by high school discovered her love for the bass. Finished high school at 16 to attend Berkley College of Music, where her career would truly begin. At 20, hired as instructor, the youngest professor in the institutions history.
4. Her Musical Style Weaves elements of jazz, folk and world music with classical tradition. Blends neosoul, bossa nova, funk, and improvisation into her jazz grooves. Lyrics are inspired by poetry, stories from the bible such as the creation story, and life experiences. Appeals to fans of both traditional and modern jazz.
5. Albums JUNJO 2005 Debut album as a trio Pieces that range from the modern jazz trio to contemporary Brazilian music, to Argentine folk music Esperanza 2008 Signed to Heads Up International, recorded first solo album, Esperanza in 2008 where it went straight to the top of Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart where it remained for over 70 weeks. Solo debut takes a completely fresh and refreshing approach to jazz by incorporating the rich traditions of soul, pop, world music and so much more.
6. Chamber Music Society Takes a contemporary approach to chamber music of the middle ages, a once universal form of entertainment. A fusion of jazz and chamber music with Brazilian overtones. “Chamber Music Society delivers more of what a fan would expect—sinuous singing, a flexible, modern, acoustic jazz trio at the center, Latin rhythms that shift through funk, swing, and Brazilian grooves, but always in service of tuneful soul—while adding some daring new elements as well.” – Washington Post
7. Chamber Music Society Little Fly Knowledge of Good and Evil Really Very Small Chacarera Wild Is The Wind Apple Blossom As A Sprout What a Friend Winter Sun Inutil Paisagem Short and Sweet
8. Performances 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony and Concert Esperanza has presented this album with a number of tours across the USA and Europe, as well as travelling to Japan to play at the Blue Note club in Tokyo and also down to the Cape Town Jazz Festival in South Africa. http://youtu.be/0xfG-dJFbxc
9. And The Grammy Goes To… At the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, shocked everyone when she won the prestigious Best New Artist category. Also nominated were Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence & The Machine, and Mumford & Sons.
