Five-time Grammy winner esperanza spalding is one of the current jazz generation’s biggest talents. Starting out as a child prodigy, the now 38-year-old musician is a virtuoso bassist, has a magnificent voice and writes her own compositions. And she uses her unique talent to explore every feature of the jazz landscape. She is an adventurer who merges soul, funk, rock and big band (among others) in her traditional music, while her command of Brazilian and Afro-Cuban styles is just as skilled. In 2010, spalding truly broke through to a wider audience with her third album Chamber Music Society. Her latest album Songwrights Apothecary Lab is once again a fascinating recording that makes listeners curious about what direction spalding will take in her next project. She worked with many a great name, ranging from Prince to Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. With stellar pianist Fred Hersch spalding recently released Alive At The Village Vanguard. On Friday, they will perform songs from the album, as well as works from the Great American Songbook, music from Brazil and new compositions.
