Maryland, USA -
The University of Maryland Black Honors Caucus &
Pan United Youth Movement (the latter led by Shawn Thwaites), was proud to
host composer, vocalist and virtuoso bassist
Esperanza Spalding at the Nyumburu Cultural
Center on the University’s campus recently. Shawn and
Sherwin Thwaites, accompanied by ten other
panists comprised of Pan Masters’ players and friends - performed three of Spalding’s tunes
from her critically-acclaimed sophomore release,
simply titled “Esperanza.”
At 23 the
youngest instructor currently on staff at the world-renowned Berklee College of
Music, Spalding is presently on tour promoting
her self-titled album and has been mesmerizing
audiences worldwide. The incredibly gifted
young woman effortlessly evokes melodies from
her upright bass, simultaneously accentuating
the musical tapestry with her lilting and
counterpoint vocal work. The two Thwaites brothers
- themselves Berklee alumni, met Spalding at the
college when they were all still students. After seeing her perform in Virginia this past
summer, the brothers and Spalding began planning
an event to showcase a fusion of pan, voice and bass.
This led to
the October 9 affair that unveiled performances of Shawn Thwaites’ arrangements of
Spalding’s compositions, by the steel pan
musicians and Spalding herself. The collaboration
blossomed in a format more akin to that of a
clinic or master class. The band flowed effortlessly through Spalding’s
“I Know You Know,” “Precious” and “Ponta de Areia”
(Milton Nasciemento) - and even as the headline
act, Spalding was astounded at
the pure synergy resulting from the
multi-talented combination of instruments.
With no ‘rehearsal’ interaction between Spalding and
the group of panists, this unique presentation unfolded instinctively and professionally
- especially since it remained up to Thwaites to
choose from Spalding’s catalog, what would
result in this remarkably joint venture.
It was during the journey from her hotel to the
venue that Sherwin Thwaites revealed to Spalding
which of her works were on the card for that
evening.
Esperanza performed with the band then
took questions
about both music and life, leaving no stone unturned.
She also spoke of personal experiences that led
to the inspiration behind some of her compositions. The
performance venue was very quaint and
intimate, affording the audience a real ‘up close
and personal experience’ with Esperanza and the
panists. After
the event was over, the prolific musician signed CDs,
posed for pictures and even ‘chilled’ later on with the band at the
Thwaites’ residence.
A musical
prodigy-turned-pro, the down-to-earth Spalding
was a mere twenty years of age when she joined
Berklee as a part-time faculty member - one of
the institution’s youngest instructors ever
(jazz guitarist Pat Metheny taught there at 19)
-
the arrangement allowing her the flexibility to
tour nationally and internationally.
Her new CD on which she sings in English,
Spanish and Portugese features twelve tracks,
including those performed at the October 9
Up Close with Esperanza Spalding event.
In addition to her 2006 début CD “Junjo,”
Esperanza has collaborated with several known
artists on their music releases. She has
also played alongside other music greats such as
Patti Austin, Herbie Hancock and Metheny.
As of the time of this writing,
since her steelpan collaboration, Spalding has
delivered performances in New York, San
Francisco, Seattle, Brazil and Argentina, with
a stint scheduled for New York at the
Village Vanguard in early November. Before
the year closes, Spalding would have added
Tokyo, Japan and the Cayman Islands to her
appearances. The first half of the new
year will see her taking the stage throughout
Europe and the United States.
Panist
Shawn Thwaites’
own upcoming release “Soul Meets
Steel” can be previewed at
www.myspace.com/shawnthwaites.
Esperanza Spalding’s albums are available on iTunes
and Amazon, with more here:
www.esperanzaspalding.com.
Finally, look out for Esperanza Spalding’s guest
appearance on Pan United’s upcoming release!
contact Shawn Thwaites:
thwaitesshawn@hotmail.com