Who Is Esperanza Spalding?
Posted by gingerlynn on Jun 05, 2008
Who is Esperanza Spalding? We asked ourselves that question when we first saw her name listed among the prestigious line-up of The Roots Picnic. It turns out Ms. Esperanza is an extremely dynamic woman: bassist, vocalist and composer, her name means "hope" in Spanish. With a co-sign from ?uesto in this post, you know Esperanza's show must be fire. The 23 year old prodigy will perform this Saturday, so make sure you've got those Picnic tix already. Expect to hear her first single "Precious" off her new self-titled debut album, which she also performed last night on Letterman. Listen to Esperanza's full story on NPR's All Things Considered, and then watch the live video after the click.
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MaskOnFace: ...
theComplex: ...
I LOVE Esperanza.
Randomly clicked on a Latin Music suggestion from Amazon (which now knows my buying habits) LMAO!
-tHESKIMASKWAY
I LOVE Esperanza.
Randomly clicked on a Latin Music suggestion from Amazon (which now knows my buying habits) LMAO!
-tHESKIMASKWAY
1
June 11, 2008 - 06:16:39 PM
theComplex: ...
I LOVE Esperanza.
Randomly clicked on a Latin Music suggestion from Amazon (which now knows my buying habits) that happened to be her lastest album. It was sold out when I tried to purchase but I'm glad I waited. I'm definitely a fan.
Randomly clicked on a Latin Music suggestion from Amazon (which now knows my buying habits) that happened to be her lastest album. It was sold out when I tried to purchase but I'm glad I waited. I'm definitely a fan.
2
June 07, 2008 - 08:52:07 PM
My: ...
Reminds of the late great Minnie Ripperton, vocally. Not certain if she can hit high notes, but her voice is sweet.
3
June 06, 2008 - 04:12:50 PM
passerby: ...
Mr. s.black. May you want to know Ms Spalding is Joe Lovano's double bass player. Recorded with Stanley Clarke & Miroslav Vitous. Now, if you believe they are some "out" players then it's all very clear
4
June 06, 2008 - 06:04:51 AM
RaAkhenaton: ...
PLEASE let this lady be her own woman. Starting unneccessary comparisons is a waste of time. Meshell is legendary; Esperanza will be a legend, too.
5
June 06, 2008 - 05:13:33 AM
Delgodo: ...
Take that Sting!
www.myspace.com/outabodies
www.youtube.com/outabodies
www.myspace.com/outabodies
www.youtube.com/outabodies
6
June 06, 2008 - 12:22:09 AM
roix: ...
i saw her in concert last october. when i had to snap myself out of the 2 minute trance she put me in, i was heartbroken. she reminded me why i love r+b.
7
June 05, 2008 - 09:25:05 PM
David Letterman: ...
The coolest person we've ever had on the show
"ever. Ever. EVER" - Paul
"ever. Ever. EVER" - Paul
8
June 05, 2008 - 05:28:27 PM
s.blak: ...
for you guys indirectly commenting on my comment...
Yeah, I play bass (upright & electric), and I can play and sing simultaneously.
"Killing It" don't mean sawing the bitch in half, but a solid groove will do.
Esperanza wadn't groovin' the machine of what I saw
As far as the Me'Shell comparison, If you knew what you were talking about Me'Shell can rip schitt on the bass (I know it, She know it, most folks that like Me'Shell know it), yet she rarely rips schitt on the bass (in concert & on record) anymore. This is the basis of my comparison.
Am I schitting on E. Spauding? No you sensitive dweebs...critical think much?!?!? try it (don't let Perez Hilton & TMZ be your braintrust).
When I asked myself who Espernza Spalding was it was in the context of seeing an ad for an upcoming show. A young female newcomer standing prominently w/ an upright makes me think of Suzie Ibarra (a female drummer), who's played with William Parker (an upright player) both pretty "out" players.
Come to find out E. Spalding is more Alicia Keyes than Charles Mingus. Cool?
Cooooooooooooool.
All is well in the world, okayplayers. Lay down your arms. Enjoy your Esperanza Spalding.
s.blak
(Y)EARS
Yeah, I play bass (upright & electric), and I can play and sing simultaneously.
"Killing It" don't mean sawing the bitch in half, but a solid groove will do.
Esperanza wadn't groovin' the machine of what I saw
As far as the Me'Shell comparison, If you knew what you were talking about Me'Shell can rip schitt on the bass (I know it, She know it, most folks that like Me'Shell know it), yet she rarely rips schitt on the bass (in concert & on record) anymore. This is the basis of my comparison.
Am I schitting on E. Spauding? No you sensitive dweebs...critical think much?!?!? try it (don't let Perez Hilton & TMZ be your braintrust).
When I asked myself who Espernza Spalding was it was in the context of seeing an ad for an upcoming show. A young female newcomer standing prominently w/ an upright makes me think of Suzie Ibarra (a female drummer), who's played with William Parker (an upright player) both pretty "out" players.
Come to find out E. Spalding is more Alicia Keyes than Charles Mingus. Cool?
Cooooooooooooool.
All is well in the world, okayplayers. Lay down your arms. Enjoy your Esperanza Spalding.
s.blak
(Y)EARS
9
June 05, 2008 - 04:13:48 PM
m-dub: ...
Yea she is cute isn't she? But really dude, can you play bass?? Playing is one thing, SINGING and playing is totally another and she pulls off both well. For her particular genre I think she nailed the sound she was going for. There is this notion that when you play bass you have to rip it everytime you play, and actually that goes against everything that bass is really all about. In discipline the bass is close to the drums in that usually what sounds the best and what people want is steady-groovy. Killin the bass and I'm a fan of that but sometimes it has a high list of demands. Kudos for the kid, I'm feeling her bigtime.
11
June 05, 2008 - 02:26:11 PM
awwwwwww shiiiiiiiiiii: ...
I went to my RealRhapsody to hear the joint but they had only one cd of hers: "Junjo" So, I did the A.D.D. thing and listened to each song for 1 min 30 sec. Three of the 9 made my toes tap, four were ok, and the last two I thought a minute of listening was too long. She does have a beautiful voice, and on some songs she was making that bass sing also. Would I buy the cd? No. I would buy some joints from ITunes and that's it.
Comparing her to Me'shell is like comparing Alicia Keyes to Teena Marie, Marvin Gaye to D'Angelo, Martha Stewart to Julia Child: each did their own thing, in the same arena, but from different angles. Each have strengths and weaknesses (although, I'm not aware of Me'shell's weaknesses. Anyhoo . . .) She only 23, maybe at 25, she will sound more richer.
Comparing her to Me'shell is like comparing Alicia Keyes to Teena Marie, Marvin Gaye to D'Angelo, Martha Stewart to Julia Child: each did their own thing, in the same arena, but from different angles. Each have strengths and weaknesses (although, I'm not aware of Me'shell's weaknesses. Anyhoo . . .) She only 23, maybe at 25, she will sound more richer.
12
June 05, 2008 - 02:20:15 PM
Darcie: ...
Esperanza is a good friend of mine! I work at Berklee - we are so proud of her!
13
June 05, 2008 - 01:49:25 PM
chimera-k: ...
all i know is she has a lot more appeal than me'shell. the sound is more familiar and accessible, the girl is cute, and she can play bass well enough. not every song is gonna be a funk fusion bass solo..i'm sure she has chops.
14
June 05, 2008 - 01:43:18 PM
s.blak: ...
I was just asking myself this question over the weekend.
Hmmm, a young sister w/ a fro & an upright.
My first thought was, "She'd better be killing that bass to be standing next to it".
My next thought was, "She's cute"
Next thought , "Too cute"
Hit up the YouTube databanks...
"NAH MAN I AIN'T BUYING IT" © Ms. Melodie
Just leave the bass at home girl, she comes across as more of a bass dabbler and singer, than as a bass player & singer.
I don't know how Me'Shell is going to feel about someone that close to her turf.
Then I was tempted to see an upcoming performance by Ms. Spalding, but the more of her catalogue I heard..."Nope".
Final thougts: Ledisi w/ a bass
s.blak
Ah's Flat E's Flat She Flat
15
June 05, 2008 - 01:39:14 PM
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