esperanza spalding
esperanza spalding is a bassist, singer and composer whose jazz-rooted work connects improvisation, Brazilian music, dance and community care.
At 100 nudges, fangea sends esperanza’s team an official invite.
🔒 Star boosts open once esperanza claims this page.
Latest
esperanza’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
- AlbumMilton + esperanza2024 · Collaborative album with Milton Nascimento
- AlbumSongwrights Apothecary Lab2021 · Album and therapeutic music research
- AlbumEmily’s D+Evolution2016 · Album, co-produced with Tony Visconti
- AlbumRadio Music Society2012 · Grammy-winning jazz vocal album
- AlbumChamber Music Society2010 · Album preceding her Best New Artist win
Overview
- Born
- October 18, 1984 · Portland, Oregon
- Known for
- Bass, vocals, composition and improvisation
- Breakout
- First jazz musician to win the Grammy for Best New Artist, in 2011
- Community
- Founder of Prismid Sanctuary in Portland
Mini bio
How it started.
Growing up in Portland, she found an early spark in seeing Yo-Yo Ma play cello on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood at four. She taught herself violin and joined the Chamber Music Society of Oregon. Bass entered her life when a high-school teacher caught her trying the instrument and taught her a bass line.
Finding her voice.
She graduated from Berklee in 2005 and became one of its youngest instructors. In 2011, she became the first jazz musician to win the Grammy for Best New Artist. Her records make room for chamber textures, Brazilian music and electric sounds; Emily’s D+Evolution brought music, imagery and performance art together with co-producer Tony Visconti.
Music with others.
She produced and arranged Milton + esperanza, her 2024 album with Milton Nascimento, recorded in Brazil in 2023. Her work also reaches into opera: she wrote the libretto for Wayne Shorter’s …(Iphigenia), and co-produced its 2021–2022 premieres.
Making room for care.
She founded Prismid Sanctuary to provide free space for artists, performances and workshops in Portland. Through Songwrights Apothecary Lab, she works with practitioners exploring sound, healing and cognition. Dance is part of that wider practice too, including her Off Brand gOdds ensemble.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2026Ponta De Areia [Feat. serpentwithfeet]Recording artist and collaborator
- 2026LEGACYOriginal score and live music, with Alonzo King LINES Ballet
- 2024Milton + esperanzaCo-artist, producer and arranger
- 2021…(Iphigenia)Librettist and co-producer of the 2021–2022 premieres
- 2016Emily’s D+EvolutionArtist and co-producer with Tony Visconti
Awards
- Doris Duke Artist Award2024 · Jazz
- Grammy: Best Jazz Vocal Album2022 · Songwrights Apothecary Lab
- Grammy: Best Jazz Vocal Album2020 · 12 Little Spells
- Grammy: Best Jazz Vocal Album2013 · Radio Music Society
- Grammy: Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)2013 · “City of Roses”, shared with Thara Memory
- Grammy: Best New Artist2011 ceremony · First jazz musician to win the category
Quotes
May this format encourage slower more savorful listening.esperanza spalding, official website
Reflecting on the first vinyl edition of her album esperanza.
Trivia
- Her first musical spark came from watching Yo-Yo Ma on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
- She created Exposure from start to finish in 77 hours while streaming the process live on Facebook.
- Her 2008 album esperanza includes singing in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Find esperanza
Follow her music, performances and community projects.
Are you esperanza spalding?
Fans built this page. Claim it to connect with them and unlock Star boosts, or request a takedown if you’d rather it not exist.