Last year, when Esperanza Spalding won a surprise Grammy for Best New Artist, many had not yet heard of this unique jazz artist who combines an ethereal voice with superb bass playing. Count me among the former Spalding neophytes, but one look at her and a quick listen was all I needed to become a fan.
Just 26 when she won the Grammy, Spalding has just released her fourth studio album, Radio Music Society. In addition to the innovative music, 11 of the 12 songs have accompanying short films shot in a variety of locations including Barcelona, New York City and Portland, Oregon. All of the films are available to those who purchase Radio Music Society digitally or buy the deluxe version of the DVD available at the iTunes store.
The trailer offers a look at the films and can be seen on YouTube
Now for the music. According NPR music critic Patrick Jarenwattananon, “The new Esperanza Spalding album is all over the place. That’s neither pejorative nor praise; it simply is.” After listening to it several times, I would agree, but to me that constitutes a high form of praise. Yes, it’s all over the place in the same way a fabulous trip during which you visit many different beautiful, interesting and intriguing locations takes you all over the place — while meeting new people, some with a lot to say, some very intelligent and others who just make you feel good to be in their presence.
This diverse collection includes a cover of Michael Jackson’s I Can’t Help It which was actually written by Stevie Wonder, love songs, protest songs, lilting feel-good songs like my favorite track, Cinnamon Tree, and jazzier numbers, too. Spalding collaborates with five singers including Lalah Hathaway and Algebra Blessett. Two guest guitarists and a few guest drummers round out the guest list.
Yes, Radio Music Society is all over the place. But in the very best possible way.
CONNECT WITH ESPERANZA SPALDING
facebook.com/EsperanzaSpalding
www.youtube.com/user/EsperanzaSpaldingTV
RADIO MUSIC SOCIETY / OFFICIAL TRACKLISTING
1. Radio Song
2. Cinnamon Tree
3. Crowned and Kissed
4. Land of the Free
5. Black Gold featuring Algebra Blessett
6. I Can’t Help It featuring Joe Lovano
7. Hold On Me
8. Vague Suspicions
9. Endangered Species featuring Lalah Hathaway
10. Let Her
11. City of Roses
12. Smile Like That
TOUR DATES
4/18/2012 – Center for the Arts, Buffalo, NY
4/19/2012- Tri-C JazzFest, Cleveland, OH
4/21/2012 – Webster Hall, New York, NY
4/22/2012 – Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA
4/24/2012 – Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
4/25/2012 – Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
4/27/2012 – The Fonda Theatre (formerly the Music Box), Hollywood, CA
4/28/2012 – Sage Court – JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, AZ
5/1/2012 – House of Blues, Dallas, TX
5/2/2012 – House of Blues, Houston, TX
5/3/2012 – New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA
5/5/2012 – Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX
5/7/2012 – Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN
5/9/2012 – Carolina Theatre, Durham, NC
5/10/2012 – Knight Theater, Charlotte, NC
5/12/2012 – Howard Theatre, Washington, DC
5/13/2012 – Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA
5/23/2012 – La Cigale, Paris, FRANCE
5/24/2012 – Paradiso, Amsterdam, BENELUX
5/25/2012 – Nattjazz, Bergen NORWAY
5/27/2012 – Joy, Madrid, SPAIN
5/28/2012 – KoKo, London ENGLAND
6/25/2012 – Ravinia Festival Pavillion, Highland Park, IL
6/27/2012 – Ottawa Jazz Festival, Ottawa, CANADA
6/28/2012 – Toronto Downtown Jazz Fest, Toronto CANADA
6/29/2012 – Metropolis Theatre, Montreal CANADA
6/30/2012 – Saratoga Jazz Fest, Saratoga Springs, NY
7/7/2012 – North Sea Jazz Festival – Maas Stage, Rotterdam BENELUX
7/11/2012 – Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart GERMANY
7/14/2012 – Latitude Festival, Suffolk ENGLAND
7/19/2012 – Polideportivo de Mendizorroza, Vitoria SPAIN
7/22/2012 – Blue Balls Festival – KKL, Lucerne, SWITZERLAND
Sounds awesome. Will get it today!