Spalding continued to branch out, playing with jazz groups as well as leading her own septet and trio. In 2002 she joined the hip-hop group Black Science Tribe, which gained a sizable following touring along the West Coast.
Since moving East to attend the Berklee College of Music, Ms. Spalding has regularly worked as a freelance bassist and singer, both locally and internationally. Ms. Spalding has worked with many notable Grammy-winning artists such as pianist Michel Camilo, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, saxophonist Joe Lovano, violinist Regina Carter, guitarist Pat Metheny, and singer Patti Austin.
She has also performed as a member of the Boston Pops, with drummers Bill Stewart (John Scofield, Chris Potter, Joe Lovano), Terri-Lyne Carrington (Herbie Hancock), Mark Walker (Paquito D'Rivera), as well as guitarist Adam Rogers (Michael Brecker, Chris Potter), saxophonist Seamus Blake (Mingus Big Band, Bloomdaddies), and trumpeter Byron Stripling and performed as an opening act for comedian and sometimes-jazz drummer/vocalist Bill Cosby.
Recently, Ms. Spalding released her debut album as a leader, Junjo on the Barcelona based jazz label Ayva Music. Her CD features pianist Aruan Ortiz, and drummer Francisco Mela.
She is the 2005 recipient of the prestigious Boston Jazz Society scholarship for outstanding musicianship. Spalding holds a B.M. from Berklee College of Music, where she also enjoys the status as the youngest faculty member ever in the history of the College. Esperanza recently became a new artist represented by the Montuno management agency.
In 2009 she played at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo(Norway), as the Nobel Peace Prize winner,
Barack Obama, artist of choice.
In 2011 she was awarded the Grammy for best new artist, the only Jazz musician to be awarded the Grammy.
Endangered Species
Esperanza Spalding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You mean danger
Don't you last near this …
Strangers . jet planes
Flying casual dancing .
To high to see . across the sky
Watch your cave man fly
Tell me . in the sides breathing out things die
Going to reach you as I haven't heard for ages
. adolescent growing hard and eating … no good morning
Danger
What was in your mind .and round sky . toys that kill your family
Growing out the mountains
The opening lines of Esperanza Spalding's song 'Endangered Species' convey the message that humans are in danger too. The use of the phrase 'endangered species' may be interpreted in two ways here: one, that humans are in danger due to their actions endangering animals and their habitats; second, that they themselves are becoming endangered due to their own actions. The mention of "strangers" and "jet planes" further emphasizes this danger - we are strangers to each other and our actions of flying recklessly are putting us in danger. The line "to high to see across the sky" is particularly poignant, indicating the blindness that has resulted from our actions, and that we are metaphorically "flying blind."
The next lines "Watch your cave man fly, tell me in the sides breathing out things die" may be interpreted as a reference to our primitive, aggressive tendencies that have led us to modern-day violence and destruction of the environment. These tendencies have led to the things around us dying, including animals and plants. As the song continues, it becomes clear that the singer is addressing the earth – "Mother need you, going to reach you as I haven't heard for ages". She is asking the earth, which is often referred to as 'Mother Nature', for help, as humankind has not listened to her messages of warning. The line "toys that kill your family" indicates the detrimental effect of modern advancements that have led us to ignore basic human values.
Line by Line Meaning
She is in danger too
She is also at risk
You mean danger
Are you referring to a dangerous situation?
Don't you last near this ...
Don't you live close to this...
Strangers, jet planes
Unknown people, airplanes
Flying casual, dancing.
Flying recklessly, moving joyfully
Too high to see across the sky
Flying at a height where the entire sky is visible
Watch your cave man fly
Observe your primitive self soar through the air
Tell me, in the sides breathing out things die
Explain to me how things perish when exhaled
Mother need you
Mother requires your presence
Going to reach you as I haven't heard for ages
I will attempt to contact you after a long period of silence
Adolescent growing hard and eating ... no good morning
Teenager evolving into an unproductive, rude individual
Danger
The threat of harm
What was in your mind ... and round sky ... toys that kill your family
What was going through your head... and up in the sky... objects that harm your loved ones
Growing out the mountains
Emerging from the mountains
Contributed by Joshua D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
alexanthony1218
Scat, while killing it on bass. And a beautiful voice. An amazing talent. Looks effortless but what you’re watching is so incredibly difficult. Listen to the counterpoint between what she is singing and what she’s playing. Love love her.
Neil Wright
So many ways and levels one can be impressed by this extraordinary demonstration of coordination and musicality. Make me think a little of Sting, who was also underappreciated for being able to play sophisticated bass lines and sing something completely unrelated with such ease. Esperanza is a future legend and a great inspiration.
Rhett Bice
Amazing skill yes, but combined with intuitive emotionally driven performance. Half the brain is performing solid muscle memory while the other half, the singing half, is in a meta intuitional state.
Michael Thompson
She's not scatting. These are the notes.
Sam Salerno
Exactly. There probably has never been a better singer/bass player combo. It's inspiring and demoralizing.
Alexandro Sentinelli
macleadg i know it... voice is one instrument. Bass is one instrument, voice and bass together... at this level... is ANOTHER INSTRUMENT
owlcu
Wow. The fact that she could sing such intricate parts (on key!) while playing complicated bass lines is astounding, plus the video quality is absolutely superb. I am truly amazed.
Hector Gonzalez
That's the part that some people don't . She maybe eye candy. But her technical skills are off the charts.
Luis Zimbron
Genial, musica del alma, para disfrutar en soledad o en compañía especial.
ajamandadam
Stunning performance by all.The scat singing while laying down the bass groove, is remarkable.