2012 Readers’ Favorite Bassists – #2: Esperanza Spalding

Esperanza Spalding

Esperanza Spalding is another bassist who routinely makes our annual reader favorites list, and for good reason. The exciting bassist/vocalist/composer keeps releasing amazing records, winning awards and honors, and showcasing her skills in various videos we feature here.

Here are the top five most viewed Esperanza Spalding stories and videos over the course of 2012. Be sure to also check out our complete Esperanza Spalding archive.

Esperanza Spalding with The Roots: Live Performance of Weather Report’s “Predator”

1. Esperanza Spalding with The Roots: Live Performance of Weather Report’s “Predator”

My friend Marsha was telling me about Esperanza Spalding performing a Weather Report tune, where she lays down the bass line while singing the melody. I couldn’t believe I missed it. So after searching for a while, I found this fan-shot video of Esperanza with The Roots (wow!)…

Esperanza Spalding: “Black Gold” Official Music Video

2. Esperanza Spalding: “Black Gold” Official Music Video

Grammy award winning bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding has released the official video for “Black Gold,” the first single off her album Radio Music Society. The song and video are a beautiful homage to African American heritage…

Esperanza Spalding Announces New Album, “Radio Music Society”

3. Esperanza Spalding Announces New Album, “Radio Music Society”

Esperanza Spalding is coming off of a monster year, which started in February 2011 when the bassist became the first jazz musician in decades to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist (and, much to our pure joy, beating out Justin Bieber for the honor). Esperanza went for the gold once again with the release of Radio Music Society, dubbed her “most diverse, ambitious and masterful recital yet”…

Esperanza Spalding: “Crowned & Kissed”, Live on the Daily Show

4. Esperanza Spalding: “Crowned & Kissed”, Live on the Daily Show

Esperanza Spalding made a stop on the Daily Show in 2012, and closed out the show with “Crowned & Kissed”, one of the tracks on Radio Music Society. We’ve been fans for Jon Stewart for some time, but we had no idea he was an air bassist…

A Review of Esperanza Spalding’s “Radio Music Society”

5. A Review of Esperanza Spalding’s “Radio Music Society”

Esperanza Spalding shocked many in the music world when she beat out Justin Bieber for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2011. Bassists everywhere, likely less shocked, celebrated the win by one of our own. Phil Wain takes a look at her exciting 2012 release, Radio Music Society

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Leave a Reply to Herb Anthony Yates Cancel reply

  1. Got to be one of the prettiest bassplayers I’ve ever seen!

  2. Se avessi 30 anni partirei per gli States per chiederla in sposa!