Esperanza Spalding - Best New Artist Grammy nom

[Tampabass]

Pretty amazing that a young bass hero -- Esperanza Spalding -- would get a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Her "competition" includes teenybopper flavor du jour Justin Bieber.

But it sure is nice seeing someone of the musical caliber of Esperanza receive this kind of high-profile attention. For those who don't know -- She's a very gifted upright and electric bassist, singer, and songwriter.

It's gratifying seeing this kind of love given to a jazzer, and a BASSIST.

Esperanza (upright) playing & singing Stevie's "Overjoyed" at the White House - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lNE7jWA5AE

Esperanza (fretless) playing her "I Know You Know" at the Nobel concert - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-rWNAQx1ZE

[bajocallao]

She is amazing!
too bad grammy isn't based on actual talent! LOL
She would clean up

[HeadyVan Halen]

I'd love to play with her, and no, we wouldn't be playing upright...

[Tampabass]

Heh. Yes, all that talent, and she's very attractive, too.

[Dr. Cheese]

Esperanza Spalding really benefits from being very beautiful, and I sincerely am not diminishing her amazing ability! It's just that all music is entertainment, no matter how serious or artistic it is, and a pretty woman with a sweet voice always works!

[Tampabass]

I know what you mean, but let's not go down that path again.

I just want to celebrate the fact that a true musician, a superb bassist, a jazzer, is getting this kind attention from an organization that usually gives its biggest awards and nominations to the most popular kids.

It's great for her, great for bass, great for jazz, etc.

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by Tampabass

I just want to celebrate the fact that a true musician, a superb bassist, a jazzer, is getting this kind attention from an organization that usually gives its biggest awards and nominations to the most popular kids.

It's great for her, great for bass, great for jazz, etc.

+10

[bass12]

I'm not a fan but I'd rather see her get a Grammy than Arcade Fire (not that they are in the same category nomination-wise). Stanley Clarke has also been nominated, as has Marcus Miller with Chuck Brown and Jill Scott. Man, I'd LOVE to see Chuck Brown win a Grammy. That man is way underrated as both a singer and a performer in general.

Here's the complete list of nominees:

http://www.grammy.com/nominees

I can't believe how many categories exist that I'd never heard of before. Have to say - I'd rather see El Gran Combo play live than any of the people they're likely to have on as "entertainment"...

[relwof]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Esperanza Spalding really benefits from being very beautiful,

Although I don't think anyone makes professor at Berklee at 20 years of age based on looks. I'm sure she benefits some from being a beautiful woman. I suspect she attracts a wider audience outside of her genre, where her looks might entice someone to listen who would have little interest otherwise. But if you're into the styles she plays, she'd be beautiful even if you were blind.

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

and I sincerely am not diminishing her amazing ability!

Then you should have just said "benefits" instead of "really benefits". Or maybe added "phenomenal talent" to amazing. IMHO. But I could be wrong. You did stress amazing. I'm probably reading too much into the words of our esteemed Dr. Cheese. But lest others might do the same, I'll sum it up this way : if you've seen but not yet heard Esperanza Spalding, you have NO idea how beautiful she truly is.

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

It's just that all music is entertainment, no matter how serious or artistic it is, and a pretty woman with a sweet voice always works!

Ok, ya made me actually pull out the dictionary. Still not sure I agree that all (even just all good) music is entertainment, but Webster isn't giving me much support. It certainly can be more than "just" entertainment. OTOH, hard to dispute "pretty woman with a sweet voice". Except for Sirens. And some of those evil Disney mothers. And ... aw, who am I kidding - "pretty woman with a sweet voice", amen to that, works for me!

[Infidelity]

She deserve it!

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by Infidelity

She deserve it!

Agreed! I don't think she'll win but I'm definitely rooting for her. As someone stated before, the Grammys aren't about talent but hopefully, just this once, they can make an exception . She really is amazing and it would be great to see her collaborate with other artists even more!

[Bass_Thumper]

Let's hope that they do the right thing and reward her. I'm still blown away that they awarded Herbie the award they did. It's gratifying to see pure musical talent recognized instead of units moved.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that pop artists are not talented but how often do you see the pop-band member recognized and not the front man/producer?

Let's hope for the best.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by relwof

Although I don't think anyone makes professor at Berklee at 20 years of age based on looks.

If you have time, look at the many posts I have written about Esperanza Spalding. It's is pretty clear that I admire her as an artist. This thread is about her Grammy nomination. Grammys are showbiz, especially Artist of the Year nominations. Why else would Justin Beiber be in the mix? In short, it is obvious that she was hired at Berklee because she is a virtuoso who has a solid grasp of teaching, that is an entirely different matter from a Grammy nomination.

BTW, I will be thrilled and proud as a (pretty poor) bassist if she wins!

[Tampabass]

Oh, she won't win, unless there's some kind of miraculous vote-splitting going on. My money is on the little kid.

But she's already made great gains from just being nominated, in terms of all the exposure she gets. My unscientific guess is that 98% of the people worldwide who read or hear about the best new artist nominees will be coming across her name for the first time.

And some of those folks will then check out her music.

When's the last time a jazz artist received a nomination in that category? When's the last time a jazz bass player received a nomination in that category? Never?

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Tampabass

Oh, she won't win, unless there's some kind of miraculous vote-splitting going on. My money is on the little kid.

But she's already made great gains from just being nominated, in terms of all the exposure she gets. My unscientific guess is that 98% of the people worldwide who read or hear about the best new artist nominees will be coming across her name for the first time.

And some of those folks will then check out her music.

When's the last time a jazz artist received a nomination in that category? When's the last time a jazz bass player received a nomination in that category? Never?

Herbie Hancock won about two years ago.

[Jumbotron]

Once again, bizarre choices by the grammies. Not because she isn't good (she's very, very good), but because she's hardly new. There are posts about her on TB that go back years. Should be the grammy for best artist we've just heard of.

[Tampabass]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Herbie Hancock won about two years ago.

not for best new artist.

[WJGreer]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Herbie Hancock won about two years ago.

He didn't win for Best New Artist though, did he? That would really have been odd.

I think Beiber has the buzz; I wouldn't bet against him right now. Sadly, the nature of the industry.

[Tampabass]

Originally Posted by Jumbotron

Once again, bizarre choices by the grammies. Not because she isn't good (she's very, very good), but because she's hardly new. There are posts about her on TB that go back years. Should be the grammy for best artist we've just heard of.

She's as new as some of the artists who've been in Grammy's best new artist before. And she's still very new, period. She's only released three albums as a leader, and the first one was on a very small label.

What's bizarre is that she's in a category with Justin Bieber, etc. And by "bizarre" I mean that you don't typically find her caliber of musician in that category, or in ANY of the non-niche categories.

Herbie Hancock's win in a non-niche category was a very welcome surprise.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Tampabass

not for best new artist.

OOPS!