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Rapp on Jazz: Esperanza Spalding

U.S Jazz musician and singer Esperanza Spalding performs at the International Jazz Day concert at the Alicia Alonso Theater in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, April 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Ramon Espinosa/AP
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AP
U.S Jazz musician and singer Esperanza Spalding performs at the International Jazz Day concert at the Alicia Alonso Theater in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, April 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

TRANSCRIPT:

Hi, I am Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.

Born in 1984, Esperanza Spalding is a remarkable bassist, vocalist, and composer whose genre-bending style has transformed contemporary jazz. She rose to fame with her enchanting self-titled album, "Esperanza," and made history in 2011 as the first jazz artist to win the Grammy for Best New Artist. Her groundbreaking albums brilliantly fuse jazz with classical, funk, and experimental elements, showcasing her extraordinary talent.

Spalding's electrifying performances and profound lyrics set her apart as a true pioneer in modern music. Passionate about arts education and creative exploration, she inspires a vibrant new generation of musicians to push boundaries and reimagine the jazz landscape. Her journey is one of endless possibilities.

This has been Rapp On Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible in part by Layman Poupard Publishers, producers of the Literary Criticism Series and the Dictionary of Literary Biography.