Esperanza Spalding Earns a Grammy Award

Although one of my favorites, Esperanza Spalding (whom I wrote about over two years ago here was nominated for a Grammy as Best New Artist of 2011 for her album Chamber Music Society, I went to bed (as I always do) not too long into the presentation of the Grammy Awards. Imagine my surprise when I learned this morning that the Grammy Awards had presented her a well-earned Grammy, had given me the best Valentine gift possible, and had earned themselves some seriously needed credibility.

I had not been impressed by all the gimmicks, electronics, and plastic eggs distracting viewers (how about listeners?) from musicians, whose primary talent seems to be knowing how to use Auto-Tune. Besides, there was no way I could imagine a Grammy going to a college instructor who actually can read and write music,

Although there is a Youtube video of Justin Bieber and Esperanza Spalding hugging and complimenting each other's hair (here), Bieber fans hacked (report here) Esperanza Spalding's Wikipedia page with comments such as "no one has ever heard of her!"

Depends upon who "no one" is. She has performed at the White House and at the Nobel Peace Prize concert (at the request of the President of the United States). David Letterman called the coolest person ever to perform on his show. The list of serious musicians who are serious fans of hers goes on and on.

Esperanza Spalding is a stunning young jazz musician who does not need to distract her listeners. I stand by what I wrote two and a half years ago: Esperanza Spalding sings, with a light voice that floats over solid jazz instrumentals amply fleshed out by her playing acoustic bass, tackling swing and ballads with equal authority.... She writes her own songs, leads her group, and - just so she won't get bored - teaches at the Berklee College of Music.

Oh, yes, she sings in English, Spanish, Portuguese, with articulation. That means, you can understand her.

She attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship, and when she got her degree at age twenty became the youngest member of their faculty ever. She has been involved with about ten albums in various capacities, as well as Chamber Music Society, for which she received the Grammy Award.

So, this best new artist has been around a while, earning any recognition she receives, and not just for her visual effects, which in her case, aside from a dazzling smile, is her monumental hair-do.

Bravo, Esperanza Spalding! There are still some real musicians, and thanks, Grammy Awards for giving us who cherish her music a reason to celebrate... and for giving people who do not know her music a chance to celebrate as well... to celebrate a great musician and her wonderful music.

See and hear her perform at the White House here.

Catch her performance on David Letterman's show, when he dubbed her the coolest person ever to appear on his show here.

Many people on Youtube know who she is. Check this video search.

People on Associated Content also know who she is. Renata Yvonne beat me to an article on Esperanza Spalding's recognition by the Grammys; in fact, she has two, one here and another here. But, there's enough love for Esperanza Spalding to go around.

Sources

Sources are linked to in the article. Also, check Esperanza Spalding's website.