“The marketing slice of what beauty means to the world at large, at least in this culture, is soooo thin.... I’ve even had people giving me pressure to fix the gap in my teeth. I didn’t lose a tooth- it’s just how I was born. But there’s, like, a fear that somehow that imperfection in my appearance would affect people’s ability to access the art I’m making..... Beauty means so many different things.” --- Esperanza Spalding
Even though it might seem absurd on the surface I can actually picture some fool saying "Love the music, her playing is superior to most, she can sing well too, but that little dental gap on one side is a deal breaker for me. I'll go back to listening to Billie Eilish." Geez!
The sexiest thing in the entire world...bowed bass in jazz. In my dreams, I am half the musician this young woman is. Just wow. This is truly wonderful.
My daughter plays Double Bass, and this is precisely the sort of performance that I think will inspire her to carry on and improve. Amazing! h/t Randy Resnick for pointing me here!
This is certainly my favorite cover of Wild Is The Wind. Its like she inserted a piece of her soul into this song and tied it with a bow and gave it to her listening audience as a gift. She is truly talented its sad that i am so enthralled with her artistry but i adore her geez she is amazing
Absolutely agree. Actually I think her level of musicianship so far exceeds what the Grammy's are even able to comprehend. Usually just a popularity contest. It was wonderful to see an actual musician get recognized as a new artist.
We're lucky enough to have seen her perform live three times, and they are all extremely memorable experiences. She doesn't just play and sing, she makes a show of it. She's that rare quadruple phenom - wonderful compositions, virtuosic playing, a voice like an angel, plus she's so easy on the eyes. This lady is tops in my book.
I just became aware of Esperanza a short time ago. While I had said that I was through attending concerts (price, crowds ,already had seen 50+ in 40yrs) I will happily go see her should she come to a town near me.
James Shropshire My two year old granddaughter can barely sit still for any given waking moment, but she sits entranced and motionless when I play Esperanza's "Little Fly" video. She is hypnotized!
She is very talented... but she's not the only one I have found with mind-blowing music talent. Have you ever heard of Jacob Collier? You're welcome :)
I first stumbled upon this version of Nina Simone‘s classic about six or seven years ago. I played it after making love to the love of my life… Every word and every bit of this song had to be one of the most beautiful versions ever, and the fact that she puts her all into it makes it all the timeless ❤
This is NOT Simone's composition. It was written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington, who also composed Town Without Pity. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimitri_Tiomkin www.imdb.com/name/nm0006323/
Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Lil’ Kim, Rihanna and the like, take notice. This young woman is pure class, producing the highest quality music with little to no regard for commercial success; doing it with grace, elegance, and beauty, positively representing our people.
***** Obviously, you don't know what quality art is and that there could be diversity in quality art. Personally, based on your response, you consider popular artist acting like strippers and prostitutes in their music videos as quality art and acceptable values or guidelines for black youth. Not too long ago I was driving by a gas station which was location on a busy street in a major city in Florida; I notice something that was very amusing to me. It was a young black woman twirking in the most provocative way possible. This while pumping gas at this gas-station. I am sure in her mind this was acceptable public behavior. In my mind this is the result of the crap these so called artists are feeding these young people. I don’t see people from other communities doing this; and if I or the other motorists passing by wanted to see this type of entertainment, there are places for that; they are called Strip Joints! I don’t have a problem with her (or any woman for that matter) expressing herself in that way.. I do however have a problem with her expressing herself that way in public! Would it be OK for your little sister, or daughter to conduct herself in this manner? Well, this is how the music and images from these so called artists are telling them how to act. You mistakenly labeled me as being sexist, rather than someone who has sound values. I myself love and respect women.My wife is a women, my daughter is a women, my Mom is a women and my sister is a woman. These are all the people I value most. By the way, I have same opinion for male popular artists who display poor images and presents destructive thoughts for our young people to use to guide their lives. By your last two words towards me, I am convinced that you are one of their converts.
***** OK.. I have to admit, you do have some good points about the traditional African dance stuff. Perhaps I am a bit old in my thinking. However, it is because I am experienced in life, why I know how the greater society have particular views about our people/community and use those stereotypes to judge us continuously. In most cases, not even being conscious that they are doing so. When we feed into those stereotypes, the results are discrimination in employment, quality of services, public and group acceptance, career advancements, appointments to leadership opportunities outside of our community, and as we have seen in Florida, sometimes this discrimination even result in violence. As an highly capable professional, I have seen far less capable professionals advance over me, simply because those who were in a position to promote had difficulty envisioning people like me in high profile leadership roles outside of our community. Perhaps some of this insight is what is driving my views. It is not because I am sexist. Younger people, who I am assuming you are, generally don't get this. Who is going to hire the young guy with his pants waste hovering around his knees so he has to hold it up with his left hand. How can they have respect for women who wear multicolored fake European or Asian textured wigs, when they don't even have an appreciation for their own beautiful natural hair; and who feel that their only value to society is showing off their naturally beautiful and shapely asses. Even the ones who don't take care of their bodies, in many cases, feel it's OK to show it off, because that where they feel their value to society is. Please keep in mind that I don't think for one minute that it is all black women that are like this. The ones that I am referring to need to taught that they a blessed with many virtues, and their sexuality is only one of them. Young women like Esperanda Spalding and Lupita Nyong'o represents the excellence I am speaking about. They, in spectacular ways, demonstrate the positivity that can be achieved when young black women, and people in general for that matter, when they are provided with proper guidance, and are thought to love themselves. This is my non sexist view.
This is not an issue of race. There are both good and bad white people, as there are good and bad people of every race. Also, I am not sexist; I believe black women as with all women, should have the right to present themselves the way they want as individuals. My concern is that as a group, black women seem to be trapped in presenting themselves one-dimensionally in the media. Basically over sexualized creatures who have to rely on their God given assets in order to be accepted. This is why I appreciate artists like Esperanza Spalding and Janelle Monet who still manage to present a high level of sex appeal and class without having to show most of their private parts to the world. As the father, son, brother, and husband of black women, it matters to me a great deal how they are viewed and treated in the world.
I have set this on repeat..Esperanza epitomizes the pure and undiluted power of her talent. She has not compromised the beautiful genre in which she represents. The delivery is incredible and it keeps me in a constant state of craving more. Oh how the jazz world has been strengthend with your presence...I have had a watchful eye for a few years now and still I am continuously awestruck!
Correction, this is what wiki sad about the song: "Wild Is the Wind" is a song written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington. The track was originally recorded by Johnny Mathis for the 1957 film Wild Is the Wind. The song was very popular and was one of five songs nominated for an Academy Award; it was sung by Johnny Mathis at the March 1958 Oscar presentations.
For me, the whole song is a beautiful package for the one note at 6:26. It's like falling and flying at the same time. When I first heard the song I knew I had to ration myself on listenings so the effect wouldn't lessen. Thanks for posting. Great live version.
This song is pure beauty, amazing. I put my ipod on repeat and listen to this song all day sometimes. It's people like her that inspire me.. If there was music like this on the radio, I wouldn't have a need for headphones on every trip.
this is the other song I saw last week on a tip to Texas in a motel room on Austin City Limits. Im a new fan. this music haunts me.wierd but so so good. thanks.
the most haunting piece of music Ive ever heard. It makes me cry eral tears. why I dont know. shit Im a bluesman.Johnny Winter. but this? is like strange a strange new area to get into. lovely just lovely.thanks.
I am OBSESSED with this song. Esperanza is a musical genius. I am very pleased to know that creativity and REAL artists are winning awards now. I can't wait for her new album to come out!!
I'm 16, but I was never reallly never a hip hop person. I Love jazz music because of the history behind it and basically a classy feel behind it. Keep moving forward Esperanza! Show the people what real music is.
Esperanza is a living jazzlegend. Like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan but then different, because she is just Esperanza. One of the greatest! xxxx love from Holland And if there are still people who say this is not good, then what is good for them? Dream on! This is the great stuff! No one alive at this very moment can compete!!!!! xxxx Love from Holland Patty xxxx
