That question was likely asked more than a few times last night.
If you asked people to predict the 2011 Grammy Awards winners going in, jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding, 26, probably wouldn’t have been on many lists.
Nevertheless, she took home the coveted Best New Artist Grammy, upsetting the likes of Drake, Florence and the Machine AND Justin Bieber to do so.
While people may spend the wake of Justin Bieber’s surprising Best New Artist loss figuring out who Spalding is and where she came from, her talent is no mystery.
The AP writes the following:
“From the time Esperanza Spalding appeared in 2005, the dynamic singer, bassist, composer and arranger has been heralded as jazz’s next big thing.”
“Her impressive musicianship has won her White House recital dates, praise from the likes of Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock, and critical acclaim.”
High praise indeed. Is it warranted? Lsten to one of her songs, “Little Fly,” below and you might just become a fan of the relatively unknown musician …
