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  • LEGEND'S CORNER: Esperanza Spalding: Legend-in-the-Making


    Esperanza Spalding

    A year or so ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Esperanza Spalding for Thunder Row. Since that time, a lot of folks have joined the Row so we thought, since Ms. Spalding won Best New Artist at the Grammy's last year, we'd re-run the interview of this exceptional talent, so you could get to know her better. Read on!
    Ed.

    Okay, here's a riddle for you. Who's an exceptional bassist, an incredible singer, a fabulous and original songwriter, has an infectious laugh, has played at the White House as well as with Stevie Wonder and a cartload of other headliners and, incidentally, is almost single-handedly changing the face of contemporary jazz, (and several other genres)? Her name is Esperanza Spalding. She's twenty-four, poised, gracious, and a delight, as you're about to see. (Esperanza, incidentally, is Spanish for hope, and we hope you'll get to know her!)

    Read on!

    Ed: Your bio says that it was seeing Yoyo Ma on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood when you were four years-old that inspired you to take up the violin. It may seem silly to ask anyone to go back that far, but is there anything of that experience you can recall?

    Esperanza: Well, by now it's probably memories of memories, but I do remember watching the show. I guess I'd never seen anyone actually playing an instrument. I'd never heard music like that and, right away, I thought it was interesting and funny and I liked the sound. My mind was very simple at that time. I guess it was like a basic attraction, 'I like that sound. I don't know what it is, but I want to do that!'

    Ed: So, what was the transition? I mean, did you get up from the television and run to your mother and say "I want a violin! I need a cello!," or something?

    Esperanza: Yes! And I told her what I'd seen on Mr. Rogers and she said, 'okay.' I guess I kept pressing her about it. I kept remembering and I kept wanting it. So she saw some local programs offered in the city for instrument instruction and there was a little group you could play with every week. So it kind of kept evolving from there.

    Ed: I know that, after acquiring the fundamentals, you taught yourself. How did you go about that at four or five?

    Esperanza: I don't even remember. I probably tried to play things from recordings, very simple music. I didn't read, but I would hear something and I would go home and practice the sound and then I would come back a better faker, (laughs) That was at the very beginning. And then there were programs with the chamber music society of Oregon which was the name of the organization that provided all these educational opportunities. And so we'd go and have intensive theory training. We didn't get, necessarily, one-on-one instruction, but we had plenty of things to work on.

    Ed: What was the first thing you ever wrote?

    Esperanza: I would always make up little tunes and things. I think the first thing I wrote was a string quartet thing, when I was about eight to ten, I really don't remember. But I was really young and I heard this theme, and I didn't know what the theme was and I had my mom help me write it out, the parts, and we played it at a recital concert. We also had a piano and I would go the piano and write little songs, or recall things from the radio and come up with new arrangements of them.

    Ed: It sounds like you had an unconventional educational experience. I know your mother was instrumental in that. Tell us about it.

    Esperanza: Well, I went to an inner-city school until third grade, then we moved further out of the city limits - out in the 'burbs a little bit, where I went to school for fourth and fifth grade. School was very problematic, A, and I had some kind of health problems, B, they told me I needed to leave, when I was in fifth grade (laughs) 'cause I'd missed too much school 'cause I'd been out a month or so. So I couldn't come back that year. And so we started home schooling and my mom researched it and said what we need to do is make it kosher and legal, and so I home schooled until I was thirteen when I started going to high school.

    Ed: It's quite a transition from violin to bass. Do you recall what inspired you to take up the bass?

    Esperanza: Sure. I happened to walk into this room at the high school I went to at the time and they had just bought this real cool upright bass, and I saw it and was curious and so I picked it up and right away the resonance and sound of the instrument just physically was intriguing, so I stood there and played notes just to hear it, just to feel that resonance. It was really amazing experience if you'd never played bass - especially compared to a screechy violin. Anyway, at the same time the music teacher at that school came in and gave me a very brief rundown of the fundamentals of improv music; of playing a bass line, of playing a walking bass line in jazz. So he showed me the function of the blues, and 'here are the scales, and if you can play them you can play whatever you want if it sounds good and now we're playing jazz, and that's it!' This is all simplified, but I remember at the time feeling, 'Wow, I can really get into this!" And it felt so so accessible, and so natural for the way I hear music and play music. I was hooked from that moment on, and I kept coming back day after day to that instrument.

    Ed: I think many of our visitors can identify with that. There's something very mystical andv magical about the first time you're doing a walking bass line and it slips into the pocket and you feel it.

    Esperanza: Mm-hm.

    Ed:: It's like you said, it resonates. You can feel it in your flesh. In your gut.

    Esperanza: Absolutely.

    Ed: It's a wonderful feeling. I think that's something that a lot of our visitors can identify with. You know, it's something of interest to us on Thunder Row that there are so few women and girls involved in the playing of the bass. We're very interested in promoting the playing of the bass to them, and most people acquire an interest in an instrument from the time they're eight to twelve, in that range.

    Esperanza: Yeah.

    Ed: Is there anything you would say to young women out there who are considering taking up an instrument to get them to consider the bass?

    Esperanza: I don't know. That hasn't been my experience. Every step of the way I saw a lot of other women playing the bass.

    Ed: Really? I can't find them. I must not travel in the right circles. Story of my life...

    Esperanza: I guess I'd say to them that if you find an instrument you want to play, go for it. You know, there's nothing to be encouraged if someone doesn't feel a natural affinity for the instrument. You have to want to play it and it has to speak to you. There has to be a reason that you play it. And so I would say that if a woman wanted to play the bass, don't be discouraged. Just go for it. You don't have to be a big dude to play it. I mean, a piano's much bigger than a bass if you look at it, but you're never intimidated by that. You have to carry the bass around, but it's really not that heavy and, just like any instrument, there's a way to play it that's strenuous, and a way to play it with ease.

    Ed: Speaking of teaching people to play, what was it like being a teacher at Berklee at, what, twenty years of age? I expect some of your students were older than you.

    Esperanza: Yeah. Well, what was it like? I enjoyed teaching. I had a really good time. It was a little challenging to find the time to do my preparation and be the teacher I wanted to be in the midst of commuting. I was living in New York the last two years I was teaching. So it was a little tricky. But it's incredible. I love the process of analyzing what I know and what I do and thinking, 'yeah, why do I do this?' and 'how do I know that?' and ‘how can I break this down in steps so that someone else who wants to learn how to do this can understand it and make it part of their ability.’ It's really a fun process, and it's really satisfying and encouraging when you watch someone grow and evolve and blossom.

    Ed: Was most of your time spent teaching one-on-one or in a classroom environment?

    Esperanza: It was mostly one-on-one. I taught three classes in the morning - I think if I'd had my choice I wouldn't have taught those classes, but - I was glad to have the expereince. Then from about two in the afternoon on it was private instruction until pretty late in the evening.

    Ed: It must have been quite an experience to have been so young, and teaching.

    Esperanza: It was great. I wouldn't have missed it.

    Ed: Your mom is obviously the person who's exerted the greatest influence on your life, at least it seems that way. Her aside, who would you say has had the greatest impact on you as a person.

    Esperanza: Gosh, mm. That's a really tough question. I'm surrounded by so many incredible people.

    Ed: Let's narrow the question down a bit, then. Who's had the most powerful impact on you as a musician?

    Esperanza: Again, that's really impossible to say just one person. It's really a combination of everyone. I mean, everyone I've played with, the bands, the teachers, just friends who were supportive, people I've played sideman to, the list just goes on and on. Which is good. It's just like with everybody. I think we all start off with our personality and the encouragement we get from our family, which is a good start. But I've been really blessed to be surrounded by a lot of different people with a lot of different views about everything, from music, to life, to art, to education and they have all had a profound impact on my character and my approach to what I do.

    Ed: You certainly do seem to have been surrounded by some exceptional people. You're very fortunate.

    Esperanza: Definitely.

    Ed: Do you have any brothers or sisters?

    Esperanza: I do, yes. I have an older brother and a younger one who's kind of adopted. We adopted each other and we've been really close over the years.

    Ed: Are they musicians, as well?

    Esperanza: Well, my older brother is really musical, but he never really pursued it. The younger one is an incredible musican and also a brilliant engineer.

    Ed: What's the worst experience you've ever had playing?

    Esperanza: I guess it was when I was much younger - I think I was sixteen - and I got a gig and I didn't own a bass yet. And I couldn't use the upright from the school and it was a three-hour gig so I had to rent an electric bass, which I'd never played before. So I had to make my way through the gig playing this electric bass which, as anyone who plays both upright and electric knows, is an entirely different instrument. So that was pretty horrendous. Three hours, very unenjoyable. I hated every minute of it. But, that's where I'm at. I mean, everything is learning. And if I'm not liking something, it's probably because I need to be learning and it's all an opportunity to practice.

    Ed: I know you've had a lot high points in your young career, playing at the White House and for the Noble Prize ceremony in Stockholm, but it's not always the biggest that are the most memorable. What's your most memorable experience.

    Esperanza: Probably my most memorable experience was getting to work with Milton Nascimento, because he's really one of my heros. And getting to do some serious work with him. He came to L.A. and played on my record. That was highly, highly, highly memorable. I mean, a high point of my life.

    Ed: And that was on Chamber Music Society, right?

    Esperanza: That's correct.

    Ed: I was listening to that last night. It's an exceptional (album) and we're very excited about it.

    Esperanza: Great! Thanks.

    Ed: We'll talk about Chamber Music Society later, and Roy is reviewing it, but I understand you have an album coming out next year called Radio Music Society which is going to be significantly different. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

    Esperanza: Sure. The way the two albums evolved and developed - because I had a lot of material that I couldn't figure out how to crowd into one record - and little by little in reviewing the (material) I realized that it was falling, rather neatly, into these two families, and these two sounds. One became Chamber Music, and the other was kind of grooving songs more upbeat, more influenced by popular music, I guess you could say, though that's a stretch, too. And so the premise is 'let's get this jazz and improvised music, and incredible, profound art form that's such a deep part of our culture on the radio'. So it entailed using these songs that obviously have elements that are meaningful to me in the music, but it's also more footloose and fancy free. Songs that are just more fun.

    Ed: And that comes out in the spring of 2011?

    Esperanza: Right. Spring of 2011.

    Ed: What comes after that? Any ideas?

    Esperanza: No! That's going to be enough for me for a while, I think.

    Ed: That'll keep you busy.

    Esperanza: Yeah.

    Ed: What is the best professional advice that anyone ever gave you. Can you think of anything off the top of your head?

    Esperanza: Yes. Wayne Shorter once told me 'someone could make something that earned a trillion dollars, and it lasted for a trillion years, that wouldn't make it right, and it wouldn't make your life meaningful.' And I think of that a lot. (In this business) there's a lot of pressure, and there's a lot of reward for doing something that pleases certain powers-that-be that has to do with marketability, or selling lots of tickets to a show, which has its place, for sure. But sometimes it's easy to get off-balanced in your attempts to serve those parties and interests and I think of that a lot when it comes time to do the work; when you do the work of writing a song and practiciing, and deciding what is it that I'm going to share with the world. And I think of those words a lot as an encouragement to me to be brave, and be true to what you really believe to be in the music.

    Ed: That's excellent advice. I asked for the best professional advice, what about the best personal advice. Would you say they're one and the same?

    Esperanza: Yes. But also I think 'not my will but Thine be done.' Not necessarily as part of a religious thing, but it means we can direct our wishes and desires in life to a certain degree, but beyond that we have to give it up.

    Ed: Yeshua in the garden of Gethsemane. Powerful thoughts.

    Esperanza: Yes.

    Ed: I generally like to e-mail this next question to people because it often requires a little thought, but I'm going to throw it at you. If you could have one day, or one moment in your life that you could relive, what would it be?

    Esperanza: (Laughs) Oh, there's many. Oh gosh. They've all contributed to who I am. I wouldn't change anything. I'm very content.

    Ed: It's wonderful to be able to say that.

    Esperanza: I mean, we make mistakes, but we have to - that's important, too - there are lessons that are very un-fun to learn but certainly they had to be learned. I had to go through that.

    Ed: That's right. If you don't make mistakes, you don't grow.

    Esperanza: That's right.

    Ed: Well, I appreciate your time and thoughtfulness. I'm sure our visitor's will enjoy reading your comments, and look forward to hearing your album.

    Esperanza: Well, thank them all for me. It's been a pleasure.

    Ed: Esperanza's new album, The Chamber Music Society, comes out August 17th (2010) and I strongly encourage you to get a copy. You won't be disappointed! (NOTE: Read Roy's review of the album, coming soon.)

    Meantime, enjoy The Fly
    http://www.headsup.com/media/HUI-318...fly/Video.html
    http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/
    Comments 14 Comments
    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Outstanding, Outstanding, Outstanding interview!!! Esperanza Spalding is one of my favorite, if not the most favorite, bassist!!! I have already placed my advance order for Esperanza's new album, The Chamber Music Society. Thank you Ed for making my day!!!
    1. TLDTR's Avatar
      TLDTR -
      Esperanza is a rare talent, indeed, and was a pleasure to interview. I have no doubt we've just begun hearing what this exceptional musician is capable of. It's going to be a treat following her career. (When you get her album, listen to The Fly - it was the first cut on the review copy I got, that may not be the case on the official release. Anyway, it's her interpretation of a poem by William Blake about life and death more or less from the perspective of a house fly. Extraordinary, haunting, and infectious.)
      Ed.
    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Quote Originally Posted by TLDTR View Post
      (When you get her album, listen to The Fly - it was the first cut on the review copy I got, that may not be the case on the official release. Anyway, it's her interpretation of a poem by William Blake about life and death more or less from the perspective of a house fly. Extraordinary, haunting, and infectious.)Ed.
      Thanks for the heads up!!!
    1. Kegs's Avatar
      Kegs -
      Out of interest, here's the Blake poem, it's lovely.

      Little Fly,
      Thy summer's play
      My thoughtless hand Has brushed away.
      Am not I A fly like thee?
      Or art not thou A man like me?

      For I dance And drink, and sing,
      Till some blind hand Shall brush my wing.
      If thought is life And strength and breath
      And the want Of thought is death;

      Then am I A happy fly,
      If I live,
      Or if I die.

      Thanks for the interview, interesting and wholesome. Esperanza is a talent, isn't she.
    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Quote Originally Posted by Kegs View Post
      Out of interest, here's the Blake poem, it's lovely.
      Hey Kegs, thanks for listing Blake's poem. Very interesting!!!
    1. Kegs's Avatar
      Kegs -
      Not being one, usually, to rush out and purchase music willy nilly, I was sufficiently taken by Esperanza during this interview to want to give her a decent try. I picked up on two albums, 'Esperanza' and 'Junjo'. For the most part they're both very good and I'll be listening to The Chamber Music Society when its released.
    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Quote Originally Posted by TLDTR View Post
      Esperanza is a rare talent, indeed, and was a pleasure to interview. I have no doubt we've just begun hearing what this exceptional musician is capable of. It's going to be a treat following her career. (When you get her album, listen to The Fly - it was the first cut on the review copy I got, that may not be the case on the official release. Anyway, it's her interpretation of a poem by William Blake about life and death more or less from the perspective of a house fly. Extraordinary, haunting, and infectious.)
      Ed.
      Esperanza’s new album, Chamber Music Society, was released today. I downloaded it this morning and have reviwed all the songs. Only one word can describe this album, “OUTSTANDING”. Esperranza has so much talent that it is unbelievable and Ed, The Fly (actually entitled Little Fly on the final release) is beautiful. If you like music, this album is a must for your music libray. I can’t wait for her next new album, which I understand she is working on now!!!
    1. jthomas353's Avatar
      jthomas353 -
      Congrats to Esperanza on her win as "Best New Artist" at the Grammys!!!! Definitely a well deserved recognition.
    1. Roy's Avatar
      Roy -
      And she won Best New Artist at the Grammys beating out the formidable Pop Star Juggernaut that is Justin Bieber!
      A Great Day for Bassists everywhere. Loved her acceptance speech as well. After so many phony "formula" speeches ("I'd like to thank God, My Record Company, My Fans, etc.") her humility was refreshing and endearing-the hallmark of a true Musician, not a Pop Star.
    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Congratulations, Esperanza for winning "Best New Artist" at the Grammys. You are a very talented lady!!!
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Did she?? Wow, I never watched it.

      Congrats!!!
    1. FeltFedora's Avatar
      FeltFedora -
      Bieber was ROBBED!!



      ...just sayin'
    1. jthomas353's Avatar
      jthomas353 -
      Quote Originally Posted by feltfedora View Post
      bieber was robbed!!



      ...just sayin'
      lol!
    1. TLDTR's Avatar
      TLDTR -
      What's a Bieber? Actually, I thought the little post Grammy meeting between him and Esperanza showed two very pleasant, balanced young people.
      Ed.
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