Esperanza Spalding

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Esperanza Spalding


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Background = solo_singer
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Born = 1984
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Origin = Portland, Oregon
Instrument = Double bass, voice
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Genre = Jazz
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Years_active = 2000s–present
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URL = http://esperanzaspalding.com/

Esperanza Spalding (born 1984 in Portland, Oregon)cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:g9fwxqe0ld6e~T1 |title=Biography |accessdate=2008-06-13 |last= Leggett |first=Steve |work=Allmusic |publisher=All Media Guide ] is an American jazz bassist and singer.

Biography

Spalding was raised by her mother, who had nearly become a touring singer as well.cite web |url=http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2008/5/28/in-conversation-with-esperanza-spalding |title=In Conversation with Esperanza Spalding |accessdate=2008-06-13 |last=Peña |first=Tomas |coauthors=Spalding, Esperanza |date=2008-05-28 |work=jazz.com ] Her mother signed her up for music classes early; Spalding played the violin, oboe, and clarinet before picking up the bass in high school. Spalding first attended the Portland public schools and later left to be homeschooled, but returned at 15. She had originally played the violin but switched to the double bass in high school when "bored musically"; she picked up the instrument in her high school music classroom and immediately began improvising on it.cite news |first=Michele |last=Norris |authorlink=Michele Norris |title=Esperanza Spalding: Voice of the Bass |url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90478162 |format=radio |work=All Things Considered |publisher=National Public Radio |date=2008-05-15 |accessdate=2008-06-13 ] After a year at high school, Spalding left again to attend Portland State University and completed her bachelor's degree in three years. Almost immediately after graduation, she was hired by Berklee College of Music, becoming one of the youngest professors in the institution's history.cite web |url=http://www.bassplayer.com/article/only-24-jazz/may-08/35479 |title=At Only 24, Jazz Phenom Esperanza Spalding Has The Ultimate 'X-Factor' |accessdate=2008-06-13 |last=Booth |first=Philip |year=2008 |month=May |work=Bass Player ] She also toured in collaboration with other musicians including her former Berklee teacher Joe Lovano and mentor Pat Metheny. After this series of tours, Spalding released her first album, "Junjo", in 2006 and her second, "Esperanza", in 2008.

Influences

Spalding cites jazz bassists Ron Carter and Dave Holland as important influences on her music; Carter for the "orchestration" of his playing and Holland for the way his compositional method complements his personal style. [cite web |url=http://www.bassplayer.com/article/esperanza-spalding/dec-06/24264 |title=Esperanza Spalding |accessdate=2008-06-13 |last=Booth |first=Philip |year=2006 |month=December |work=Bass Player ] She has described the saxophone player Wayne Shorter as "one of my musical heroes". She has also noted her preference for the music of Brazil, a factor that has come across in her recordings.

Discography

* 2006: "Junjo"
* 2008: "Esperanza"

ee also

* List of jazz bassists

References

External links

* [http://esperanzaspalding.com/ Official website]
*
* [http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2008/5/28/in-conversation-with-esperanza-spalding "In Conversation with Esperanza Spalding"] by Tomas Peña ( [http://www.jazz.com Jazz.com] )

Persondata
NAME = Spalding, Esperanza
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Bassist, singer
DATE OF BIRTH = 1984
PLACE OF BIRTH = Portland, Oregon
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =