Esperanza Spalding Jazz Ensemble to Perform
Staff reports
Child prodigy turned professional musician Esperanza Spalding will perform with her jazz ensemble at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 2 at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. Spalding, 25, is a composer, bassist, multi-lingual vocalist who has been called “the future of jazz and instrumental music.” Hailed as a performer with “breezy, bubbly vocals,” by The Washington Post, Spalding creates a jazz experience that is not to be missed.
Spalding began her musical career at the age of five, when she was
accepted into the Chamber Music Society of Oregon as a self-taught
violinist. She played with the group for 10 years, during which time
she was elevated to the group’s concertmaster position. At age 16 she
left high school and was accepted into the music program at Portland
State University, where she studied bass. Spalding later transferred to
Berklee College of Music, where after only three years of study she
earned a degree and a position as an instructor. At 20 years old, she
was the youngest faculty member in the history of the college.
Spalding’s performing career has given her the opportunity to work with
other notable artists and play her music around the world. Spalding has
performed with various talented musicians, including pianist Michel
Camilo, vibraphonist David Samuels, bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist
Pat Methany, singer Patti Austin and saxophonists Donald Harrison and
Joe Lovano. In 2009 Spalding performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Award
Ceremony in Oslo, Norway. She currently has two solo albums,
“Esperanza” and “Junjo,” and is featured on seven other collaborative
albums.
Tickets are on sale now. General admission tickets to the concert are
$22 or $6 for area students. To purchase tickets, visit
www.uncatickets.com, stop by UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union
Box Office, or call (828) 232-5000.
For more information on UNC Asheville’s Cultural & Special Events
season or to purchase group tickets, call (828) 251-6991 or visit
www.unca.edu/culturalarts.
