Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Esperanza Spalding - Grammy's Best New Artist


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Originally uploaded by NoVARon

One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises at the 2011 Grammy Awards was Esperanza Spalding being the winner of the Best New Artist. Here she is seen at the 2009 Duke Ellington Jazz Festival (now the DC Jazz Festival), performing with Nicholas Payton. Spalding is an absolutely amazing bassist and vocalist as well as a composer and educator and her unexpected victory (over such pop acts as Drake and Justin Bieber) was warmly welcomed in jazz circles and those who love great music and musicians.

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