"Esperanza," bassist/vocalist/composer Esperanza Spalding's debut on Heads Up International, is set for worldwide release on May 20, 2008. Armed with uncanny instrumental chops, a siren voice that spans three languages, and composing and arranging skills that weave together the best elements of the old-school with the progressive, this 23-year-old has crafted a debut album that takes a completely fresh and refreshing approach to jazz by borrowing from the rich traditions of soul, pop, world music and so much more.

Esperanza is joined in the studio by a crew of A-list session players, including flamenco guitar virtuoso Niño Josele, percussionist Jamey Haddad, drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, saxophonist Donald Harrison and several other seasoned talents - all of whom collectively serve as further evidence of the kind of creative energy and magnetism that she radiates.
Never mind that in 2005--at the age of 20--Esperanza Spalding became the youngest instructor in the history of Berklee College of Music. It's what's on wax that counts--or CD, or MP3, if preferred. On Esperanza, her debut set for Heads Up International, Spalding presents a prowess on the acoustic bass that many bassists with far more experience could be inspired by. Need proof? Check out "Mela," on which Spalding’s chops on the upright are matched (if not exceeded) by her tangerine-and-honey vocals. There is a lilt in her voice that, to be sure, puts the blind optimism of her youth front and center. But who needs another jaded jazz singer? This multi-lingual set starts off with the mellow, mid-tempo "Ponta De Areia." From there Spalding winds her way through an appropriate group of mostly self-penned songs that are simultaneously sweet, commanding, calming, and intense. Of particular note are the hopeful "Espera," and her take on "Cuerpo y Alma" (the jazz standard "Body & Soul" in Spanish). And yes, purists, she can scat. Her name, Esparanza, is the Spanish word for "hope." Here's hope for a bright future and satisfying career following this wonderfully refreshing album. --Eric C.P. Martin

Customer Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully talented artist
Comment: The CD is well worth the money. She is a very talented artist and it is shown in this cd. I got to see her in concert and she sounds exactly the same as she does on the album so you know that there has been no work done on the cd. She plays the instruments as she sings. She is very great. I wish her first cd was a steal like this one. BUY IT!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Refreshing!
Comment: If you're a jazz head (or not) and you're looking for the next wave of classic recordings and talent in that idiom, get this record and rejoice. Esperanza Spalding's voice is awesome, her playing is solid, the songs are intriguing and her accompaniment is very capable. It's part world jazz, part straight ahead, part pop jazz, pop youthful exuberant jazz, part masterpiece. This album stayed on repeat for weeks and still gets played when I'm looking to be inspired by new music. Trust.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Super Talent
Comment: I heard this artist on a local jazz station and had to find out who she was. Bought the album and then saw her in person here in NYC and I am falling deeper in love with her every day . The album is a rare treat from start to finish. Buy it and you too may fall in love, but I saw her first.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The future of jazz is right here
Comment: If you're a jazz fan, get this CD and make sure you see her live. I can't put it any simpler.

Having seen Esperanza live several times, I had some very high expectations for this CD. They were certainly met, and I'll be listening to this CD quite a bit.

Admittedly, I don't have the easiest time catching the vocals in most songs, but that's fine by me because the tunes on here are wonderful. There's a wonderful feel to every song, and often you can pick up her bass as much as her vocals, and that's even when pianist Leo Genovese is shining like he does for most of this CD. In fact, her vocals are very prominent on "I Know You Know", and that's not among my favorites on this CD, although it's hard to say any songs really stand out. They're just all so good.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Esperanza
Comment: I had so much fun listening to this disc! I've had it in heavy rotation since June and each time I listen, I hear some nuance that I missed the previous time.

Esperanza's voice is very pleasant and she doesn't oversell or overtax her vocals which works perfectly with her songs. I loved the instrumental tracks equally as much as those with vocals because it's a new experience for me listening to music with this instrument at the forefront. (It was also something to see such a slight female handling such a large unexpected instrument on the Letterman show so that piqued my interest in her music.)

The standout tracks I keep pressing repeat on are: PONTA DE AREIA, FALL IN, I ADORE YOU, SAMBA EM PRELUDIO, ESPERA, PRECIOUS, MELA & IF THAT'S TRUE.

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