Jazz wunderkind to play in Savannah

Jazz phenomenon Esperanza Spalding makes a momentary stop at the Lucas Theater on March 9 during her whirlwind national tour.

Spalding will be featured as the latest artist-in-residence joining Savannah Children’s Choir (SCC) in a benefit concert intended to inspire and educate local children as well as accomplish the feat of bringing a major musical talent to Savannah.

“We really sympathize with each artist we feature as artist-in-residence, like when we featured Rachel Waiters to portray opera as not just a ‘white thing,’ as well as when we hosted a performance by Keith Miller to show that singing is not a ‘sissy’ activity as some people perceive it,” said SCC co-founder Cuffy Sullivan. “As for Esperanza, she makes music cool.”

As for the artists involved in the program, Sullivan emphasized the critical role of the performer in the children’s understanding of alternate avenues in the realm of music.

“The artist-in-residence reveals to the children that there are these career tracks for music – and well, everything is for the kids,” she said. “We’re excited in particular for Esperanza to perform because we’ve never featured someone who is both an amazing vocalist and a brilliant musician – Esperanza is both.”

The show is a godsend for the avid jazz aficionado on a budget, as its appeal rests not only in the unprecedented powers of Spalding’s jazz prowess but also the meager price of admission.

“This extremely rare opportunity is not to be missed,” Sullivan said. Tickets for students are $5.

Esperanza’s story is compelling in its sheer variety of roots in multiple cultures, as well as her progression from child of the slums of Portland, Ore., to becoming one of the youngest instructors in the history of the Berklee College of Music. She is hailed today as a bass virtuoso and simply a musical prodigy.

“She is undoubtedly one of the greatest things in jazz right now, both a phenomenal bass player and singer,” said SCC co-founder Roger Moss. “And she brings along with her an incredible message of perseverance, and that’s something we’d like all students to take away.”

Spalding’s stage credentials alone have the city of Savannah buzzing with anticipation.

“It is simply unbelievable for Savannah to be receiving this fantastic musician,” Moss said. “I mean, we’re talking about a performer who has sung at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony.”

Spalding was hand picked by President Barack Obama for the Nobel concert, as is the tradition of one laureate-invited-artist to perform.

Spalding’s status as artist-in-residence allows her time to share and instill her musical experience in the children of local schools, as well as imparting the amount of work and dedication to achieve success. In addition, SCC members will be allowed invaluable one-on-one time with Spalding as they rehearse for a song that Spalding and the children will collaborate on and perform live at the benefit concert.

But, of course, SCC is not alone in looking forward to the occasion.

“I’m so excited to have this opportunity to work and perform with the Children’s Choir,” Spalding said in a statement released by her manager. “It will be an absolute joy to spend these days with them and share the fruits of our work with the public on Tuesday night. I can’t wait!”