Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Esperanza Spalding: Chamber Music Society
Esperanza Spalding: Chamber Music Society
This might seem to be a risky endeavor, but not for Spalding, who not only keeps an open mind, but a radar-like ear that is able to absorb many sonic influences and still make them her own.
Evidence of this is "Winter Sun," another original composition that has elements of soul and jazz without too many complications. Here, she is supported solely by her trio and some multilayered backing vocals, before taking an unexpected bass solo that comes just as the tune might have headed in a pop direction. Her cover of Antonio Carlos Jobim/Aloysio de Oliveira's "Inutil Paisagem" (known in English as "If You Never Come To Me") goes far away from the beaches of Rio; instead, there is a classically-inspired duet between Spalding and vocalist Gretchen Parlato, who perform in both English and Portuguese, backed solely by the bandleader's bass.
The inclusion of strings is a plus here, enhancing the musicality of tracks including "Knowledge of Good and Evil," an up-tempo original with wordless vocals that showcases Spalding's vocal dexterity; the opening "Little Fly"; and "Apple Blossoms," where they flow around Nascimento's improvisations without interference. Also worth a few more spins are "Wild Is The Wind" and the closing "Short and Sweet," both demonstrating that Spalding will certainly be the inspiration for many music students, scholars and fans for years to come.
Track Listing
Little Fly; Knowledge Of Good And Evil; Really Very Small; Chacarera; Wild Is The Wind; Apple Blossom; As A Sprout;What A Friend; Winter Sun; Inútil Paisagem; Short And Sweet.
Personnel
Esperanza Spalding
bass and vocalsEsperanza Spalding: vocals and bass; Terri Lynne Carrington: drums; Leo Genovese: drums; Milton Nascimento: vocals (6); Gretchen Parlato: vocals (2, 10); Quintino Cinalli: percussion; Ricardo Vogt: guitar; Entcho Todorov: violin; Lois Martin: viola; David Eggar: cello.
Album information
Title: Chamber Music Society | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Heads Up International
About Esperanza Spalding
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Esperanza Spalding Concerts
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
