Esperanza Spalding - Endangered Species

My...

[alisiawilliams]

I saw this when it aired on TV in 2010. Her performance blew us away!!! I still watch it. That is why I am adding my two cents in 2024!!!!

[reedbass]

Wayne Shorter became eternal today so it is fitting that this came up while I was browsing.

This is a great version of this tune. The fact that Esperanza is singing such a difficult melody while playing a complex bass part, demonstrates her superhero level of musicianship and musical skill.

RIP Wayne Shorter.

[gustafsone]

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away, when I was a young lad in grade school and decided that saxophone was the instrument I wanted to play, I found myself lost in playing the "boring" concert band type of fare. Fast forward a few years and I was able to take a jazz band course in my first year of high school. I think I had finally found what I was looking for. Well, as fate would have it, one day while perusing my local record shop I came upon this band called "The Weather Report" and, specifically, and album called "Heavy Weather". I knew nothing about this band at all, but I decided to buy the album based on the artwork and a band name I thought was pretty cool. Wayne Shorter, and the rest of the incredible band, changed my life forever! The type of music they played was something I had never heard before, or even knew could be made. I went from nearly giving it all up to dedicated almost all of my after school hours to devouring everything I could of the genre of jazz/fusion. I don't know if there is a point to this wall of text, but I just want to thank Mr. Shorter for inspiring me, and to thank Esperanza for bringing back a great memory in the best way possible. <3

[RegDHarris]

This woman is incredible. Her playing, her singing, even the way she talks! I adore Esperanza :)

[aldojr.]

The amazing girl with two brains.
Wonderful. Beautiful.

[alexanthony]

Scat, while killing it on bass. And a beautiful voice. An amazing talent. Looks effortless but what you’re watching is so incredibly difficult. Listen to the counterpoint between what she is singing and what she’s playing. Love love her.

[perkyporkpie]

Some people are just given too much talent and beauty. She is just fabulous

[fredericpelloud]

Esperanza is by far the most talented musician of her generation! No doubt about this! Vocals, bass, composition : all is perfect!

[siraluza]

Esperanza Spalding... You are a great singer and musician one of the best in the world...!! Congratulations everybody wonderful performance.

[tersellant]

You could practice forever and never reach her level of ability. She is truly blessed with the gift of music!

[GloogleGloigle]

So jealous of her students at Berklee.

Clearly a level of musicianship that deserved to be recognized by her peers, as the standout among her fellow contenders, in the category she was nominated in, the year she took home the Grammy.

[owlcu]

Wow. The fact that she could sing such intricate parts (on key!) while playing complicated bass lines is astounding, plus the video quality is absolutely superb. I am truly amazed.

[tonypowell]

Clicked on her legs and stayed for the music. Mind blowing talent...love this music.

[alessandropirisinu]

Great musician and great singer 🤩🤩😍😍 ...
Years ago, at the Kennedy Centre Honors she moved Sting to tears: it is not too surprising, hearing Esperanza singing one of the best version of Fragile I've ever heard (with The Greatest Herbie Hankock on pianoforte).

[ajamandadam]

Stunning performance by all.The scat singing while laying down the bass groove, is remarkable.

[Aswaguespack]

A truly wicked performance of the highest caliber. What amazing skills and talent. More young musicians need to be getting inspiration from Esperanza. Few have reached her level of ability. Practice Practice Practice!

[jasonkellogg]

In this world where U.S. pop music is full of trash, it's nice to see that there is still some contingent of young people in and outside of the U.S. who are not following along the majority of their generation and have discovered jazz, playing many forms of it with great skill, proficiency, and soul and here's a great example of it. They are taking what the great jazz forefathers (and mothers) have done and are building upon it, even surpassing the skill of the pioneers. This is very refreshing and inspiring.

[aa]

Wow she is classy blast. Sings very intricate notes while playing them on bass..dressed in elegance..being an elite presence on stage. I had watched one of her interviews..She is quite equipped in a very classy kind of way. Adorable.

[jeffreyfoster]

Mind BLOWING, she is AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL!!

[sobornes]

Insane bass playing. Perfect tone and feeling.