Spalding, Esperanza
Ayva, 2021, CD
Instrument: Guitar
Issue: 27.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 83
O’s Notes: Esperanza continues to expand her genius with vocals and vocalizations on top of her bass work. Pitch and tone are exacting with her soft, wispy voice. The “Formwela” series includes Spaulding’s use of sampling to complement her music. She collaborates with Corey King on “Formwela 4-6”. This series expands her audience to the contemporary side but it retains a level of sophistication to appease the straight-ahead crew. These tracks were reviewed as singles upon release and will be included in an upcoming album Songwrights Apothecary Lab with 12 selections in total.
Publicist: Concord