Esperanza Spalding to Perform At Grammys, Co-Host Pre-Telecast Ceremony

Bassist and Grammy nominee Esperanza Spalding will be co-hosting the Grammy Pre-Telecast Ceremony, as well as performing at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards.

Spalding will be sharing hosting duties with singer Bobby McFerrin on the show, which will be streamed on the Grammy website and YouTube channel starting at 1 p.m. PT on February 13. The ceremony is set to include performances by Buddy Guy, Kirk Whalum, Mavis Staples, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and more.

Spalding is in the running for a Grammy for Best New Artist, making her the first Jazz artist to receive the nomination in 35 years. Her fellow nominees in the category include Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence & the Machine, and Mumford and Sons. Her latest album, Chamber Music Society, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.