Bio

Esperanza Spalding was born in Portland, Oregon in 1984. She got her musical start playing violin at the age of 5, and throughout her childhood taught herself many instruments. Her first playing experience was with the Portland Chamber orchestra, and eventually playing at jazz and blues clubs around Portland. After a brief time at Portland State University studying bass, she attended Berklee College of music on a full ride. While at Berklee she met many incredible musicians such as Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, and Christian Scott. She released her first album ‘Junjo’ in 2006, which was followed closely by releases of ‘Esperanza’ in 2008, and ‘Chamber Music Society’ in 2010. The latter won her first Grammy award for best new artist in that same year. Since these initial three releases she has gone on to earn numerous awards and tour the world as one of the leading voices on her instrument. She has collaborated with a number of high profile musicians including Joe Lovano, Justin Tyson, Ambrose Akinmusire, Gretchen Parlato, Donald Harrison, and Terry Lynne Carrington.