Esperanza Spalding
Photo by Sandrine Lee
Esperanza Spalding walked through the audience at the Dakota Tuesday night and arrived at the stage. She turned on a table lamp, removed her scarf and short jacket, and then she began singing a William Blake poem as a string trio played behind her. The 25-year-old darling of the jazz world is a conceptual artist. Her current album, "Chamber Music Society," is a melding of chamber music, jazz and soul. Her next project, "Radio Music Society," will embrace funk, rock and hip-hop. We'll have to wait for that one. For now, we had to settle for being mesmerized with sophisticated intimacy for nearly 75 minutes during her late show on Tuesday. Never talking to the full house until she introduced her musicians at the end of the set, Spalding sang wordless sounds and lyrics, often accompanying herself on upright double bass. Her playing was as relaxed, articulate and sophisticated as her singing. "Apple Blossom" was a story song of renewal. "Wild Is the Wind" proved that her small but special voice can hit high piercing notes. She could be dreamy and ethereal, or soulful and jazzy. No matter what approach, the petite woman with the giant Afro was blissfully seductive. Spalding received stellar support from her six musicians -- three string players, a pianist, a percussionist and a backup singer. At the show's end, she put down her bass, put on her jacket and scarf and turned off the lamp – and exited to hearty applause. Spalding and her Chamber Music Society will perform again at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Dakota.
