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.
Little Fly
Esperanza Spalding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thy summer's play
My thoughtless hand
Has brushed away
Am not I
A fly like thee?
Or art not thou
Oh, oh, oh
Little fly
For I dance
And drink, and sing,
Till some blind hand
Shall brush my wing
If thought is life
And strength and breath
And the want
Of thought is death
Oh, oh, oh
Little fly
Then am I
A happy fly
If I live,
Or if I die
In Esperanza Spalding's song "Little Fly," the singer, who could be interpreted as either a man or a woman, sings to a small insect they have just accidentally brushed away with their hand. The singer muses on their similarities to the fly, wondering if the fly is just like them or if they are more like the fly. The repetition of "Oh, oh, oh / Little fly" underscores the playfulness and melancholy at the heart of the song.
The singer then shifts to an introspective consideration of life's fleeting pleasures, singing that they "dance and drink and sing" until "some blind hand / Shall brush my wing." The metaphor of a hand brushing one's wing suggests both the speed and insubstantiality of human life. The singer declares that "thought is life / And strength and breath," and that the lack of thought is death, echoing the ancient philosophical adage "I think, therefore I am." Finally, the singer wonders if they are a happy fly, whether they live or die, suggesting that they find meaning in the sheer fact of existence, rather than trying to parse its many mysteries.
Line by Line Meaning
Little fly,
Esperanza Spalding addresses a little fly that she crushed in her summer's play.
Thy summer's play
The fly was innocently enjoying its summer, unaware of any dangers that might come its way.
My thoughtless hand
Esperanza acknowledges that her hand was thoughtless in crushing the fly; she didn't do it intentionally.
Has brushed away
The fly's life was cut short in a fleeting moment, just like how her hand quickly brushed it away.
Am not I
Esperanza compares herself to the fly.
A fly like thee?
She recognizes that she too is small and vulnerable, just like the fly.
Or art not thou
Esperanza now questions if the fly is really just a fly.
A man like me?
Is the fly really any different than a human being?
Oh, oh, oh
Here, she expresses her sadness and regret over carelessly taking a life.
For I dance
Esperanza enjoys dancing and celebrating life.
And drink, and sing,
She also likes to enjoy drinks and music, and to live life to the fullest extent possible.
Till some blind hand
But she knows that life is fragile and that anyone could die at any moment, from a completely unforeseen circumstance.
Shall brush my wing
Just like how Esperanza's hand brushed away the fly, she fears that some other person or event might brush her own life away.
If thought is life
Esperanza now ponders the true meaning of life and wonders if having thoughts alone is enough to constitute life.
And strength and breath
Is life only made up of physical attributes? Or does it go beyond that?
And the want
Esperanza concludes that perhaps the absence of thought is what truly defines death, rather than the absence of life itself.
Of thought is death
Without the capacity for thought, a being cannot experience life, and therefore is as good as dead.
Then am I
Esperanza now applies this to her own life.
A happy fly
She notes that she would be content living life as a fly, but recognizes the fact that she is much more than that, and has more capabilities and potential.
If I live,
Esperanza celebrates life and notes that being alive is a gift, even with all of its ups and downs.
Or if I die
She is also content with the possibility of dying, knowing that she lived her life to the fullest, with no regrets.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Esperanza Spalding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gcurtharris
This validates that the Grammy new artist category is for real. Talent should be the only driver for this award. It is nice that it did not take too long to give the credit where it is due for this "new" artist.
@petersykes9181
While updating my Jazz 100 website I discovered this amazing artist. I am not sure who to compare her to... Nina Simone for her political convictions... Charles Mingus for mastery of the upright bass... or any number of female jazz vocalists for her oh so sweet singing voice. Truth is, Esperanza is one of a kind. Don't miss out on this fine lady.
@user-fz5il7uc5f
You are fully right!!! Its fantastic!
@Subxx1152
I still sit up and go wow in 2023! Little fly ! 😮😮😮
@artglick3245
Arguably the greatest talent of her generation, this lady manages to reinvent herself with each new tour and release. I can't wait for her next CD, and I won't miss her next tour (I've seen her live three times now). She really puts on a great show with a stage full of talented musicians that all shine by reflecting her brilliance!
@latinoamerica1822
But what about her music is appealing to you? The music itself perhaps? The image that she portrays? The fact that she is a musical prodigy? Just curious
@artglick3245
All of the above and so much more. Her voice is golden, her music is enchanting, her lyrics are thought provoking, her mastery of the bass is impressive, plus she's easy on the eyes to boot. This lady has it all. Her performances are not just concerts, they are full blown stage productions as well.
@latinoamerica1822
Art Glick The reason I ask is because I'm having a hard time appreciating the music but she is obviously a prodigy so I'm trying to decide what exactly I like or don't like about it. I can recognize the musical genius and appreciate the sophistication of her compositions but I don't know why her music doesn't appeal to me? LOL sorry man I must be on one haha
@artglick3245
If you're going by her latest work - Emily's D+Evolution, I could understand your comments. In fact I could relate quite well - obvious genius, but it just doesn't float my boat. She reinvents herself for each tour and release, and you can't expect her hit it every single time.
On the other hand, I've listened to few titles that have given me more enjoyment that her earlier releases.
Maybe you don't like jazz. I can't stand hip hop.
@latinoamerica1822
Art Glick Honestly I didn't grow up on Jazz, but I did hip hop lol. There is some hip hop I like, some I don't. I guess when it comes to Jazz I'm still figuring out my taste. I just listened to Jose James which I liked very much, it's funny how the senses agree almost exclusively only with what it finds familiar.