Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza Emily Spalding is an American jazz bassist, cellist, singer, and songwriter. Spalding was raised in Portland, Oregon and was a musical prodigy, playing violin in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon at age five. She was later both self-taught and -trained on a number of instruments, including guitar and bass. Her proficiency earned her scholarships to Portland State University and the Berklee College of Music...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionJazz Singer
Date of Birth18 October 1984
CountryUnited States of America
People are more used to seeing men who are masters at an instrument than women. When people say, 'Oh, she plays like a dude,' it's usually dudes who are the ones saying it. They're saying, 'Oh, she's as good as us.' Of course, that's a stupid statement. It's totally stereotypical to say, 'We have an advantage on this, and if anyone else can do it well, it's only because they're like us.' I think more men are starting to learn that this attitude is totally hollow and based in imagination. As more women are involved in music, this kind of thing gets said less and less.
I love people, and I love to be with people and to make music with people, but my natural state is to revert back to being by myself in my house, which is cool because thats where I practice and write and listen and study.
I did grow up in a rough neighborhood in Portland, which is an abstract concept for anybody who's rolled through Portland because now it looks like a TV set, literally.
What I'm identifying with is the vision or the idea - whatever was the little nugget that started it.
I fear that I won't get better and that I won't have time to practice. To be called a "jazz musician" - it's a big responsibility.
You don't have to be fearless to do anything, you can be scared out of your mind.
When I read, you know, a rough neighborhood of Portland, I'm like - what? - they didn't have kombucha bars there?
Jazz has always been a melting pot of influences and I plan to incorporate them all.
You can grow up with literally nothing and you don’t suffer if you know you’re loved and valued,
The benefit of the radio is, something beyond your realm of knowledge can surprise you, can enter your realm of knowledge.
There's the juiciest music that makes me so happy, music that I need on that deserted island when I'm stranded for the rest of my life, and nobody cares that it's there.
I am insubordinate by nature. I can't help it.
The Czech ease has become my saving grace for traveling! Plus,with its light weight and small size, I save thousands of dollars every year in airline fees.
Jazz music just resonates with the frequency of me.