During the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival, JazzTimes set up a make-shift video production studio backstage inside the old barracks of Fort Adams. During two afternoons, a succession of artists-including Hiromi, Michel Camilo, Ambrose Akinmusire, Anat Cohen, Steve Coleman, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, Trombone Shorty, Grace Kelly, Miguel Zenon and many others-came in to talk about the festival, jazz education and their own projects. We have been posting these interviews at jazztimes.com over the last few months, with more to come. You can also see more of these video interviews at the JazzTimes YouTube channel.
In this interview from the Newport Jazz Festival, Esperanza Spalding talked about George Wein and the unique history and legacy of the festival. As Troy Andrews, aka Trombone Shorty, played within earshot of the interview, the charismatic Spalding talked about how much she was looking forward to hearing Andrews perform that day. She also talked about her own jazz and music education, about her teachers and mentors and about being a teacher herself.
Spalding’s new album, Radio Music Society, comes out on March 20, 2012 on Heads Up.
Esperanza Spalding on the legacy of Newport and whom she was looking forward to hearing:
Esperanza Spalding on her own jazz and music education, on her teachers and mentors, and on being a teacher herself:
These videos were recorded by Melissa Mergner.
Originally Published
