Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0053361314026 Label: Heads Up Manufacturer: Heads Up Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Heads Up Release Date: May 20, 2008 Sales Rank: 169 Studio: Heads Up
Album Description: "Esperanza," bassist/vocalist/composer Esperanza Spalding's debut on Heads Up International, is set for worldwide release on May 20, 2008. Armed with uncanny instrumental chops, a siren voice that spans three languages, and composing and arranging skills that weave together the best elements of the old-school with the progressive, this 23-year-old has crafted a debut album that takes a completely fresh and refreshing approach to jazz by borrowing from the rich traditions of soul, pop, world music and so much more.
Esperanza is joined in the studio by a crew of A-list session players, including flamenco guitar virtuoso Niño Josele, percussionist Jamey Haddad, drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, saxophonist Donald Harrison and several other seasoned talents - all of whom collectively serve as further evidence of the kind of creative energy and magnetism that she radiates.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Esperanza
Esperanza Spalding and her group made great success at the Stockholm Jazz
Festival in july 2008 and I was curious to listen to some of her recordings.
The record "Esperanza" is most interesting and enjoyable and she brings
a new pleasant spectrum in the jazz scenery.
Rating: - cool debut album
i got to hear Esperanza Spalding on youtube and catching up on her bass playing which really was on point and vocally she was cool. her band is real tight. there are gonna be instant comparrisons between her and Norah Jones for the versatility and stylings. i think there is merit in that but Esperanza can rock a upright bass which is so cool.no new ground being broken, but yet a fresh approach that sure sounds and feels good to the ears. real enjoyable and I feel that the best is still yet to come her way musically. she is talented and i enjoy the versatility.
Rating: - Brilliant!!!
Spread the word, there's a new lady in town: Esperanza Spalding, and she's bringing her 'A' game to the area of music called Jazz. And what a refreshing brew it is. Using her skills as a bassist, accompanied by her brilliant voice, which can be heard in three languagues (English, Portuguse & Spanish), this her sophomore presentation, is a mature offering for one so young (she's 23)
What I love about this CD is the variety on offer. You have straight on jazz, a samba selection, and a soulful selection, all wrapped into one CD.
The bonus that Ms Spalding has is that along with her ... Read More
Rating: - This Chick's Got Chops!
So, I bought this highly acclaimed eponymous debut (or, at least, first widely released) c.d., knowing nothing about Esperanza Spalding other than she's this year's favorite jazz flavor. The first cut was the great old Milton Nascimento tune, "Ponte de Areia." I noted: "above average Brazilian jazz-pop; stronger voice than Bebel Gilberto; probably 4 stars."
But this is why you have to listen to an entire c.d., before jumping to conclusions.
As Esperanza expands into jazz-pop ("I Adore You," track 4, and track 7, "Precious"), funk ("Espera", track 10), and freer post ... Read More
Rating: - WOW!!!!!
I can't stop playing this album. Her voice, lyrics, musicality, vibrance and just sheer love of music come through fully in this tour de force! She never leaves her jazz roots while exploring fusion, Brazilian and straight ahead. But it is all so accessible yet complex. We don't get music like this often.
EASILY my choice for New Artist and Album of the Year...Maybe five years...More!!!!!!
- 
- 