Esperanza Spalding in Chicago

Esperanza Spalding is an American bassist, singer and composer, born in Portland, Oregon, in 1984. Her music draws on contemporary jazz, soul, funk and experimental songwriting, and she is known for albums including Chamber Music Society, Radio Music Society and Emily’s D+Evolution. In 2011, she became the first jazz musician to receive the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. In 2009, Esperanza Spalding performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo. She later toured her album projects with ensembles built around her vocals, upright bass and electric bass, presenting Emily’s D+Evolution as a theatrical concert in 2016. Her festival appearances have included Newport Jazz Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival. New York and Boston recur in her concert history, including performances at the Blue Note and Berklee Performance Center.