Esperanza Spalding is definitely a name to watch. Bassist, singer and composer, she began playing in small jazz and blues venues around her hometown of Portland, Oregon. A Berklee College of Music Graduate and Instructor, Spalding has recently toured Mexico with Joe Lovano, and has worked with such notable artists as Pat Metheny, Michel Camilo, Patti Austin, Regina Carter, Dave Samuels, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and Terri Lyn Carrington. She is the 2005 recipient of the prestigious Boston Jazz Society scholarship for outstanding musicianship and “Junjo” is her stunning debut album.

At only 21 years of age, she's what is known as a "total musician." In addition to singing and playing the bass, she is a composer and does all of her own arrangements. She also arranges her own versions of works of important contemporary composers and on “Junjo”, Esperanza presents pieces that range from the modern jazz trio to contemporary Brazilian music, to Argentine folk music. The trio is completed by two excellent musicians, pianist Aruán Ortiz and drummer Francisco Mela.