Born in 1984, bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding began playing… Read Full Bio ↴Born in 1984, bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding began playing in small jazz and blues venues around her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Soon after picking up the acoustic bass at the late age of 14, she helped form Noise For Pretend, an eclectic band fusing jazz and pop for which she sang and played bass (often simultaneously). The group signed with indie rock imprint Hush Records, which released two albums of their original compositions.

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.

Winter Sun
Esperanza Spalding Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once autumn's glow
Has gone away
And gray cotton clouds
Blanket drowsy days
You're the winter sun
Winter sun, winter sun

Once fallen leaves

Have lost their crunch
And turn to confetti
Brown and orange
I know soon
You'll come tame the whip of the wind
And bathe the naked branches with warmth and light

When tired bones tremble
From the cold
One kiss of your warmth
Heals the soul
Shine winter sun
Make this cold heart whole

Once autumn's glow
Has gone away
And gray cotton clouds
Blanket drowsy days
I know soon you'll
Come tame the whip of the wind
And bathe my naked branches in warmth and light
You're the winter sun

Ooh, bathe my naked branches in warmth and light
You're the winter sun
I know soon you'll come
Bathe my naked branches in warmth and light
Winter sun, winter sun, winter sun

[Repeat: x15]
Winter sun

Overall Meaning

Esperanza Spalding's song "Winter Sun" is an ode to the changing seasons and the beauty of the winter sun. The song has a melancholic and introspective mood that reflects the transition into the colder months. The lyrics describe the end of autumn and the arrival of winter, as the leaves have fallen and the days have become cloudy and drowsy. However, the singer finds solace in the winter sun that brings warmth and light to the naked branches. The metaphor of the winter sun represents hope and rejuvenation, which helps heal the soul from the cold and dark.

The chorus of the song repeats the line "You're the winter sun" to emphasize the importance of this symbol in the singer's life. The winter sun is described as a force that tames the whip of the wind and turns brown and orange leaves into confetti. The lyrics convey a sense of gratitude towards the power of the sun to transform the barren winter landscape into a beautiful and hopeful vision. The repetition of the phrase "Bathe my naked branches in warmth and light" is a plea for the winter sun to continue its healing power and fill the singer's heart with warmth.

In conclusion, "Winter Sun" is a poetic and meaningful song that celebrates the beauty and importance of the winter sun in our lives. The lyrics create vivid imagery that captures the essence of the changing seasons and the power of nature to bring hope and renewal in our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Once autumn's glow
When the colors and warmth of fall are gone

Has gone away
Have disappeared

And gray cotton clouds
The sky is cloudy and dull

Blanket drowsy days
Creating a sense of dreariness and sluggishness

You're the winter sun
But there is still hope for brightness and warmth in the winter

Winter sun, winter sun
The singer is calling on the winter sun to bring light and warmth.

Once fallen leaves
When the leaves have fallen

Have lost their crunch
Have become soft and decaying

And turn to confetti
Looking like scraps of paper on the ground

Brown and orange
With colors that represent the end of the season

I know soon
The singer feels hopeful that