Speaking With Esperanza Spalding

Wednesday September 26, 2012

From The Chicago Sun Times

Speaking With … Esperanza Spalding 09.28.12
By: Miriam Di Nunzio

She wowed PBS audiences in 2010 with an unforgettable performance on “Austin City Limits.” Last year, she became the first jazz artist to win the Grammy for best new artist, beating out odds-on favorite Justin Bieber (who could forget his less-than-happy face at hearing her name called out?). Esperanza Spalding, a fiery Welsh/Native-American/African-American/Hispanic instrumentalist-vocalist who could navigate the double bass with a passion and command far beyond her then 26 years, had arrived.

With a repertoire that boasts collaborations with everyone from Herbie Hancock and Alicia Keys to Lalah Hathaway and Q-Tip, Spalding is on the road in support of her fourth studio album, the chart-topping and richly pop-influenced “Radio Music Society” (Heads Up International/Concord Music Group). She brings her 11-piece jazz ensemble to City Winery for three shows, Oct. 1-3. We talked to the Grammy winner about making music.

Question: This new album was originally slated to be a double album with “Chamber Music Society,” true? What changed your mind?

Esperanza Spalding: Yes. It was a fun idea, but it was delusional, just seeing how much work both of the projects were. Not to mention how would you tour two different projects simultaneously? Finally I decided that would just be a nightmare organizationally.

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Radio Song (clip)	1:01	Esperanza Spalding
Black Gold	5:17	Esperanza Spalding

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Watch what's on

*Radio Music Society Trailer
Black Gold
Esperanza Spalding at the Nobel Prize Ceremony
Esperanza Spalding at the Oscars

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