Esperanza Spalding October 26, 2007

Esperanza Spalding performs live at Jazz at the Bistro Oct. 26th and 27th.

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 (one of which garnered an 8.0 from writer Joe Tangari on Pitchfork).

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-Lynne Carrington (Herbie Hancock), Mark Walker (Paquito D'Rivera), and Byron Stripling (Joey DeFrancesco) as well as guitarist Adam Rogers (Michael Brecker, Chris Potter), saxophonist Seamus Blake (Mingus Big Band, Bloomdaddies), and performed as an opening act for comedian and sometimes-jazz drummer/vocalist Bill Cosby.

Tickets are $20 general admission, $10 for students.

Two shows each night. Early show at 8:30pm, Late show at 10:15pm. Those who catch the early show have the option of staying for the late show.

For more information on Esperanza Spalding, please visit her MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/esperanzaspalding

Official Website: http://www.jazzatthebistro.com/jatb/esperanzaspalding