Esperanza Spalding to Perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Growing up in Portland, Oregon, Esperanza Spalding’s family knew they had a prodigy on their hands at an early age. Learning to play the violin at age five, she began performing in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon. Since those days, she took up the cello, guitar, bass and double bass. Combined with her neo-soul vocals, Spalding has integrated many jazz fusion styles with her original compositions. Presented by the LA Phil with her Chamber Music Society ensemble and the Radio Music Society Band, Spalding will perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

After Esperanza released her successful solo album in 2006, she delved into the world of complex collaboration, developing and releasing her album “Chamber Music Society,” that highlighted her modern chamber music group. Using her classical background, Spalding ripened a team of strong improvisational musicians, who easily meshed with her classical foundation while adding the sounds of jazz, folk and world music to the mix.

Expanding her discography, she released her next album, “Radio Music Society,” adding the talents of jazz legends like Jack DeJohnette, Q-Tip and Lionel Loueke, to name a few. Working with these like-minded colleagues and developing her own style while also embellishing her profound musical training has garnered exemplary response from her listeners.

Both projects hit No. 1 on the US Jazz Charts upon release. In 2011, Spalding was nominated and won her first Grammy for “Best New Artist,” making her the first jazz artist to win the award. She has won four, with her most recent being “Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)” in 2014.

She brings the inspirational music of both her “Chamber Music Society” and “Radio Music Society” albums to the LA Phil, and you won’t want to miss this neo- soul superstar mesh multiple facets of music into one mind-blowing experience.

Esperanza Spalding will perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on April 26. Tickets available online.