Bassist, Singer Esperanza Spalding is Jazz’s New Note

Thursday May 28, 2009

Jazz aficionados are listening to 24-year-old acoustic bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding as if she were a wonderful melody.

To many, the Portland native whose first name means “hope” in Spanish is indeed the hope for a new age of music — a blend of jazz, world and soul.

She recently performed at President Barack Obama’s first-ever White House Poetry Slam and will take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.

Spalding has released two CDs, Junjo in 2006 and Esperanza in 2008, and has performed with Patti Austin, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and other music greats. David Letterman called her the “coolest person ever” on his show last year.

Though she’s often referred to as a prodigy, she’s not, Spalding says.

“I think prodigy refers to someone who has this uncanny natural ability or something,” she said by phone from Amsterdam, where she was performing with jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano.

“I’m working very hard to learn. I’ve been playing music since I was 5, so hopefully with the right team around you this is what naturally happens if you’re doing a good job.”

Spalding took a few moments to answer questions about her life and her music.

Click here to read the full article at The Houston Chronicle website.