Complete List Of Esperanza Spalding Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: Andrea Mancini, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Esperanza Spalding entered the music world with a sense of purpose that was unmistakable from the very beginning, and her early path set the stage for one of the most remarkable careers in contemporary jazz. She grew up in Portland, Oregon, and spent her childhood surrounded by music, eventually teaching herself violin and performing with the Chamber Music Society of Oregon. That experience opened the door to a broader musical language and a deep curiosity that would eventually lead her to the bass and to the jazz tradition that she would later reshape in her own extraordinary way.

Her professional ascent began when she attended the Berklee College of Music, where her abilities were so striking that the institution offered her a faculty position immediately after graduation. She became one of the youngest instructors in Berklee history, which spoke not only to her musicianship but also to her instinctive understanding of harmony, rhythm, and improvisation. This early chapter also marked the period when she began writing and recording her own material, laying the foundation for a discography that now stands as one of the most creative bodies of work in modern jazz.

Esperanza Spalding has released multiple full-length albums, each one introducing a new artistic angle and a new expression of her musical identity. Her debut album Junjo arrived in 2006, followed by the self-titled album Esperanza in 2008, which brought her greater attention from audiences worldwide. Chamber Music Society appeared in 2010 and showcased her interest in classical influences within a jazz framework. Radio Music Society arrived in 2012 and expanded her profile even further, earning her multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Jazz Vocal Album. She continued her exploration with Emily s D Evolution in 2016, an album that blended performance art with progressive songwriting. She then released Exposure in 2017, followed by the immersive project Twelve Little Spells in 2018, which earned her another Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Her breakthrough moment in the broader public came at the 2011 Grammy Awards when she won Best New Artist. This victory was historically significant because she was the first jazz musician to ever earn that honor. The award brought international attention to her work and allowed her to reach audiences beyond traditional jazz listeners. Songs like Little Fly and the material from her Radio Music Society era became some of her most recognized recordings, although her career has never relied on commercial singles or chart formulas. Her work has been centered on composition, ensemble interplay, and conceptual storytelling rather than radio formats.

Esperanza Spalding is admired within the music community for her constant pursuit of growth and her fearless approach to artistic reinvention. She has collaborated with artists such as Joe Lovano, Wayne Shorter, and Prince, and her presence in these settings always reflects the same qualities that define her solo work, which include command of the bass, an unmistakable vocal identity, and a sense of musical urgency. Her ability to merge jazz, classical, soul, and experimental elements while maintaining a strong melodic core has made her one of the most respected musicians of her generation.

Beyond her recorded catalog, she has also committed herself to arts education and to projects that expand access to music. Her work with various cultural and academic institutions has strengthened her position as an advocate for creativity and learning. She has also engaged in cross disciplinary projects that combine music with healing practices, theatrical performance, and scientific research. These efforts show how deeply she values the role of music in personal and collective well being.

Her impact on modern jazz is anchored in her musicianship, but her legacy also lies in the way she continues to defy expectations. Each album feels like a new chapter rather than a repetition of what came before, and every project reflects the same artistic courage that defined her earliest days as a performer. For listeners and musicians alike, Esperanza Spalding represents a rare combination of innovation, integrity, and dedication to the craft.

Complete List Of Esperanza Spalding Songs From A to Z

12 Little Spells – 12 Little Spells – 2018
4th Grade – Exposure – 2017
A Day in the Life – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
A Wish – Alive at the Village Vanguard with Fred Hersch – 2023
All Limbs Are – 12 Little Spells – 2018
Apple Blossom – Chamber Music Society – 2010
As a Sprout – Chamber Music Society – 2010
Black Gold – Radio Music Society – 2012
But Not for Me – Alive at the Village Vanguard with Fred Hersch – 2023
Cais – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Cantora de Yala – Junjo – 2006
Chacarera – Chamber Music Society – 2010
Change Us – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Chelsea Mercy – Exposure – 2017
Cinnamon Tree – Radio Music Society – 2012
City of Roses – Radio Music Society – 2012
Colonial Fire – Exposure – 2017
Coming to Life – Exposure – 2017
Crowned & Kissed – Radio Music Society – 2012
Cuerpo y Alma (Body & Soul) – Esperanza – 2008
Dancing the Animal – 12 Little Spells – 2018
Dream of Monk – Alive at the Village Vanguard with Fred Hersch – 2023
Double Jointed Canyon – Exposure – 2017
Ebony and Ivy – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Elevate or Operate – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Endangered Species – Radio Music Society – 2012
Earth to Heaven – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Earth Song – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Espera – Esperanza – 2008
Evidence – Alive at the Village Vanguard with Fred Hersch – 2023
Farewell Dolly – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Fall In – Esperanza – 2008
Fittest – Exposure – 2017
Formwela 1 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 10 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 11 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 13 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 2 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 3 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 4 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 5 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 6 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 7 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 8 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Formwela 9 – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – 2021
Funk the Fear – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Geriment – Exposure – 2017
Get It by Now – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Girl Talk – Alive at the Village Vanguard with Fred Hersch – 2023
Good Lava – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Heaven in Pennies – Exposure – 2017
Helluva – Exposure – 2017
Hold On Me – Radio Music Society – 2012
Humpty Dumpty – Junjo – 2006
I Adore You – Esperanza – 2008
I Am Telling You – Exposure – 2017
I Can’t Help It – Radio Music Society – 2012
I Do – Exposure – 2017
I Know You Know – Esperanza – 2008
I Want It Now – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
If That’s True – Esperanza – 2008
Inútil Paisagem – Chamber Music Society – 2010
Interlude for Saci – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Jazz Ain’t Nothin but Soul – Radio Music Society – 2012
Judas – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Junjo – Junjo – 2006
Knowledge of Good and Evil – Chamber Music Society – 2010
Land of the Free – Radio Music Society – 2012
Late September – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Let Her – Radio Music Society – 2012
Little Fly – Chamber Music Society – 2010
Little Suede Shoes – Alive at the Village Vanguard with Fred Hersch – 2023
Love in Time – Esperanza – 2008
Loro – Junjo – 2006
Loro – Alive at the Village Vanguard with Fred Hersch – 2023
Mela – Esperanza – 2008
Mompouana – Junjo – 2006
Morro Velho – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Noble Nobles – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Now Know – 12 Little Spells – 2018
One – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Outubro – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Outro Planeta – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Perazela – Junjo – 2006
Perazuán – Junjo – 2006
Ponta de Areia – Esperanza – 2008
Precious – Esperanza – 2008
Public Trance It – Exposure – 2017
Radio Song – Radio Music Society – 2012
Really Very Small – Chamber Music Society – 2010
Readying to Rise – 12 Little Spells – 2018
Rest in Pleasure – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Saci – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Samba em Preludio – Esperanza – 2008
Saudade dos Aviões da Panair (Conversando no Bar) – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
She Got to You – Esperanza – 2008
Short and Sweet – Chamber Music Society – 2010
Smile Like That – Radio Music Society – 2012
Some Other Time – Alive at the Village Vanguard with Fred Hersch – 2023
Swimming Toward the Black Dot – Exposure – 2017
Tangerine – Exposure – 2017
The Longing Deep Down – 12 Little Spells – 2018
The Music Was There – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
The Peacocks – Junjo – 2006
The Way You Are – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
The Ways You Got the Love – Exposure – 2017
Thang – 12 Little Spells – 2018
To Tide Us Over – 12 Little Spells – 2018
Touch in Mine – 12 Little Spells – 2018
Trouble – Exposure – 2017
Two Bad – Junjo – 2006
Um Vento Passou (Para Paul Simon) – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Unconditional Love – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Unconditional Love (Alternate Version) – Emily’s D+Evolution – 2016
Until the Next – 12 Little Spells – 2018
Vague Suspicions – Radio Music Society – 2012
What a Friend – Chamber Music Society – 2010
When You Dream – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Whisper – Exposure – 2017
Wild Is the Wind – Chamber Music Society – 2010
Winning Machines – Exposure – 2017
Wings for the Thought Bird – Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento – 2024
Winter Sun – Chamber Music Society – 2010
With Others – 12 Little Spells – 2018
Word Jungle – Exposure – 2017
Work of Art – Exposure – 2017
You Have to Dance – 12 Little Spells – 2018

Albums

Junjo (2006): 9 songs

Esperanza (2008): 12 songs

Chamber Music Society (2010): 11 songs

Radio Music Society (2012): 13 songs

Radio Music Society (10th Anniversary)[2 LP]

Emily’s D+Evolution (2016): 14 songs

Exposure (2017): 20 songs

12 Little Spells (2018): 12 songs

Songwrights Apothecary Lab (2021): 12 songs

Alive at the Village Vanguard with Fred Hersch (2023): 8 songs

Milton + esperanza with Milton Nascimento (2024): 16 songs

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