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Esperanza Spalding

Esperanza Spalding

We Insist: A Century Of Black Music Against State Violence

Lil Baby performs during a Juneteenth voter registration rally on June 19, 2020 at Murphy Park Fairgrounds in Atlanta, Ga. One week earlier, he released "The Bigger Picture," a song protesting police brutality. Paras Griffin/Getty Images hide caption

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Paras Griffin/Getty Images

America Reckons With Racial Injustice

We Insist: A Century Of Black Music Against State Violence

These songs take on some of the ugliest stories in our history and reflect the commitment of Black musicians to telling the truth of how Black people have been wronged, and survived, and fought back.

New Music Friday For Oct. 19: 8 Albums You Should Hear Now

Elle King's sophomore full-length Shake the Spirit is on our short list for the best albums out on Oct. 19. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Music Friday For Oct. 19: 8 Albums You Should Hear Now

On this week's sprint through the best new releases we've got irresistible earworms from Peter Bjorn & John, the deep soul of PHONY PPL, Esperanza Spalding's mind-bending songcraft and more.

New Music Friday For Oct. 19: 8 Albums You Should Hear Now

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Esperanza Spalding Is The 21st Century's Jazz Genius

Esperanza Spalding performs at the 2011 Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland. Photo Illustration: A163/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images and Angela Hsieh/NPR hide caption

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Photo Illustration: A163/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images and Angela Hsieh/NPR

The 200 Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women+

Esperanza Spalding Is The 21st Century's Jazz Genius

The ways in which Spalding's music is the most radical are perhaps the most easily overlooked: how, through her singing and playing, she challenges gender norms across styles.

For Thanksgiving, A Chain Of Musical Gratitude

Clockwise from left: Corey King, Esperanza Spalding, Laura Mvula, Michaela Anne. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Music Interviews

For Thanksgiving, A Chain Of Musical Gratitude

Host Ari Shapiro invites four different musicians — Laura Mvula, Esperanza Spalding, Corey King and Michaela Anne — to discuss a fellow artist they're each grateful for.

For Thanksgiving, A Chain Of Musical Gratitude

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All Songs +1: Our Most Memorable Tiny Desk Jazz Sets

Clockwise from upper left: Esperanza Spalding, Vijay Iyer, The No BS Brass Band, Robert Glasper NPR hide caption

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NPR

All Songs Considered

All Songs +1: Our Most Memorable Tiny Desk Jazz Sets

Patrick Jarenwattananon, former writer for NPR Music's A Blog Supreme, joins us to talk about the most memorable jazz artists to appear at the Tiny Desk.

All Songs +1: Our Most Memorable Tiny Desk Jazz Sets

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Esperanza Spalding On Piano Jazz

Esperanza Spalding. Johann Sauty/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Johann Sauty/Courtesy of the artist

Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz

Esperanza Spalding On Piano Jazz

The bassist and singer performs "Prelude To A Kiss" with Marian McPartland in a 2008 session.

Esperanza Spalding On Piano Jazz

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Esperanza Spalding Brings A Real Inner Child Into The Studio

Esperanza Spalding's genre-bending new album, Emily's D+Evolution, is out now. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Music Interviews

Esperanza Spalding Brings A Real Inner Child Into The Studio

"My job is working for her," Spalding says of the namesake character on her new album, Emily's D+Evolution. The jazz bassist and singer wrote her latest music with her childhood self in mind.

Esperanza Spalding Brings A Real Inner Child Into The Studio

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Esperanza Spalding, 'Good Lava' (Premiere)

Esperanza Spalding's new album Emily's D+Evolution will be released March 4. Holly Andres/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Holly Andres/Courtesy of the artist

Songs We Love

Esperanza Spalding, 'Good Lava' (Premiere)

The bassist/singer says a curious child-like spirit guides her new album, explains her "flashlight into the future" and her love of the band Cream, and premieres a new song.

01Good Lava

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Bowie And Beyond: Looking Ahead To The Music Of 2016

David Bowie. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Music

Bowie And Beyond: Looking Ahead To The Music Of 2016

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson shares songs from forthcoming albums by Esperanza Spalding, Damien Jurado, Lucinda Williams and David Bowie.

Bowie And Beyond: Looking Ahead To The Music Of 2016

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Esperanza Spalding: Guantanamo Doesn't Represent 'Our America'

Grammy Award-winner Esperanza Spalding in her video 'We Are America." ESPLLC hide caption

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Music Interviews

Esperanza Spalding: Guantanamo Doesn't Represent 'Our America'

The Grammy-winning musician's new recording, "We Are America," protests the controversial detention center. But she tells NPR she doesn't like to call it a protest song. It's more of a "let's get together and do something pro-active, creative and productive" song.

Esperanza Spalding: Guantanamo Doesn't Represent 'Our America'

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SFJAZZ Center Opening Night On JazzSet

Chick Corea (keyboard) joined the SFJAZZ Collective for the closing performance, an arrangement of his piece "Spain." Scott Chernis/Courtesy of SFJAZZ Center hide caption

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Scott Chernis/Courtesy of SFJAZZ Center

JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater

SFJAZZ Center Opening Night On JazzSet

WBGO

On opening night at San Francisco's newly constructed building designed for and dedicated to jazz, fans filled the stunning Robert N. Miner Auditorium for a maiden voyage and festive concert.

SFJAZZ Center Opening Night On JazzSet

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Tom Harrell's 'Colors Of A Dream': Live At The Village Vanguard

Tom Harrell at the Village Vanguard. John Rogers for NPR hide caption

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Live At The Village Vanguard

Tom Harrell's 'Colors Of A Dream': Live At The Village Vanguard

WBGO

At 66, the jazz trumpeter is as busy as ever: His current band has released five excellent albums since 2007 alone. His new, project provides further testament to his prolific composing.

Tom Harrell's 'Colors Of A Dream': Live At The Village Vanguard

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Concerts

Esperanza Spalding, Kate McGarry In Concert

GBH

Since it opened in 1989 overlooking the Boston skyline and the Charles River, Sculler's Jazz Club has been home to top-rated and up-and-coming artists. JazzSet reprises sets from two remarkable women who are bright sparks for the future of jazz: Kate McGarry and Esperanza Spalding.

Esperanza Spalding in Concert on JazzSet 9/12/06

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Music Interviews

Esperanza Spalding: Voice of the Bass

There are many gifted jazz singers, and there's no shortage of accomplished acoustic bass players. But 23-year-old Esperanza Spalding's new album features both her soaring, flexible vocals and the low-end thump of her double bass.

Esperanza Spalding: Voice of the Bass

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