TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS
PRESENTS

ESPERANZA SPALDING
WITH SPECIAL GUEST
ANDRÉ MEHMARI

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010, 8:00 P.M.
AT HOGG MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM

“...light, melodic, joyful, always sort of minimalist and airborne.”- New York Times (on Esperanza Spalding)

Texas Performing Arts presents an evening of contemporary jazz with Esperanza Spalding and her jazz ensemble, and special guest André Mehmari on Friday, April 23, at Hogg Memorial Auditorium. Spalding, 25, is a composer, bassist, and multi-lingual vocalist who has been called “the future of jazz and instrumental music.” Hailed as a performer with “breezy, bubbly vocals,” by The Washington Post, Spalding creates a unique jazz experience for the listener.

Spalding began her musical career at the age of five, when she was accepted into the Chamber Music Society of Oregon as a self-taught violinist. She played with the group for 10 years, during which time she was elevated to the group’s concertmaster position. At age 16, she left high school and was accepted into the music program at Portland State University, where she studied bass. Spalding later transferred to Berklee College of Music, where after only three years of study she earned a degree and a position as an instructor. At 20 years old, she was the youngest faculty member in the history of the college.

Spalding’s performing career has given her the opportunity to work with other notable artists and play her music around the world. Spalding has performed with pianist Michel Camilo, vibraphonist David Samuels, bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist Pat Methany, singer Patti Austin, and saxophonists Donald Harrison and Joe Lovano. In 2009 Spalding performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony in Oslo, Norway. She currently has two solo albums, Esperanza and Junjo, and is featured on seven other collaborative albums.

Opening the evening is one of Brazil’s most talented young musicians, André Mehmari. As a pianist, composer, and arranger Mehmari has shown himself to be a gifted artist, whether composing for jazz trios, symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, or ballet companies. He has even recorded an album of beautiful, original arrangements of classic Beatles songs!

CALENDAR LISTING

Friday, April 23, 2010, 8:00 pm –Texas Performing Arts presents Esperanza Spalding with special guest André Mehmari at Hogg Memorial Auditorium (2300 Whitis Ave). A map of the campus: http://www.TexasPerformingArts.org/visit/maps_directions. Tickets ($34 / $10 student tickets / discounted tickets available for UT faculty & staff, seniors and Military) are on sale now at authorized ticket outlets, which include the Bass Concert Hall Box Office, most H-E-B stores and all Texas Box Office outlets, online at www.TexasPerformingArts.org, or by calling (512) 477-6060 or (800) 982-BEVO.

PRESS CONTACT:
Gene Bartholomew
512.471.0632 gbartholomew@TexasPerformingArts.org

Download the Esperanza Spalding press release – PDF 114 KB