Last year, Esperanza Spalding made history by being the first jazz artist to win the Best New Artist Award at the Grammy’s. This was just one of many accomplishments for the multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer besides her to-die-for afro and quirky, elegant style.
If you didn’t know, March is Women’s History Month in the US. In honor of her great female achievement you should check out NPR’s First Listen of her new album, Radio Music Society. This is of course, before you purchase it on March 20.
One of the most refreshing things about Mizz Spalding is that she hasn’t stopped playing instruments even with her rising popularity. There’s a tendency in the music world for women to be associated only with song and dance. Instruments seem to have this male identity and they tend to symbolize power and agency as well. Look at Alica Keys; over the years since her debut she’s gradually moved further from the piano and closer to the mic and choreography. And you can see the transition in the type of music she’s singing as well. When I see Esperanza, I’m always reminded of some my friends who are female musicians and have had to face the “You’re good for a girl” on that drum-set or that steel-pan or guitar or whatever it was that did not include them being the stereotypical singer. I wonder if she had to face similar attitudes. Even if she did, it obviously has not had an effect on the way she produces music and commitment to being an instrumentalist. I guess that is what women making history is all about: being yourself.
Zahra Gordon 
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