The Mysticism of Esperanza Spalding

Written by Ashknuckles on Wednesday, 24 June 2009 16:18

“The man of science says that the voice comes from the spine, the diaphragm, the abdomen and the lungs. The mystic says that sound comes from the soul, the heart and the mind.” - The Sufi Teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, from the book “The Mysticism of Sound and Music.”
I never really understood the meaning of the term “girl crush.” I had always heard my homegirls mention it casually during conversation when they admired another female’s style, or essence. I never really knew what it meant. Until Esperanza Spaulding.

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Esperanza Spalding
In The Studio

Esperanza Spalding is a mystifying woman and her sound comes from the soul, the heart and the mind. From her obvious natural beauty, to her vocal chords, this is one fine bird that can captivate your attention, even if you have A.D.D. Esperanza felt stuck and limited with the violin, and needed a new outlet for expression. She picked up the upright bass, but she knew nothing. She knew she didn’t have music theory down, but she knew she had a good “feel” for playing. She was forced to “figure it out." After meeting seasoned Jazz players at the music program her mother enrolled her in for inner city youth, Esperanza essentially got “shook,” or scared, into becoming serious about Jazz. To her own surprise, she blessed herself with a music scholarship from Berkeley. She didn’t know how she would get there or what she would do. A friend had an idea. Esperanza threw a benefit concert to help buy a plane ticket, to ship herself and her bass, over to Berkeley. That was the beginning of the making of a legend. ES_BASS-MUSIC

Esperanza then went on the road with Patti Austin. From there, she started getting recognition and acknowledgement from other musicians. The music community felt if she was good enough for Patti Austin, well, she must be good enough. What is refreshing about her is that she is interested in more than just herself. She doesn’t seem to have an ego. She has interests in political science. She wants to learn about situations that happen in the world, and be able to make a change.
Jazz musician Pat Metheny called it when he said she has that “X-Factor”. She has it. She has that undefinable “something” that makes for star quality. Something that just makes you want to know more about her. She has that intrigue, the mystique. She has the depth and complexity. It’s all there, just waiting to be discovered. You want to delve into her, and soak it all up. And not just on a carnal level, but intellectual levels as well. ESP_BASS_MUSIC_ASH

Call it a long shot, but what I wouldn’t give to see her record with the likes of Madlib or Talib Kweli. Just imagine what she could bring to the culture of hip hop, and hip hop music in general. With an artist of her calibur and pedigree, it would be limitless and invaluable. However, Esperanza’s headed straight for the jazz hall of fame.
You can currently find two solo albums out entitled “Esperanza” and “Junjo,” as well as numerous collaborations with various artists. The future is exciting for Esperanza Spaulding. She wants to grow with her fellow musicians, and experience what they experience. In the next 30 years, her expectations and goals are to become a master bass player, a great singer, and a great composer.

-By Ashknuckles

For more info and tour dates, please visit http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/.