Talk:Esperanza Spalding/Archive 1

Just completed a major expansion of the Esperanza Spalding article
I just completed making a major expansion of the Esperanza Spalding article. Here is what it looked like before I started and here is what it looks like now. I have been very careful that every statement that I added to the article has a citation. I have also added three photos to the article that I found in the Creative Commons on Flickr.

Best Regards,

Reservoirhill (talk) 21:33, 18 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Thank you for contributing to Wikipedia. Your work is very nice in a lot of ways.  Thank you for providing citations for everything: that's very good.  However, I think there's a problem with copyright infringement.  See User talk:Moonriddengirl.  I'm not an expert in copyright law, but I would say that it seems reasonable to quote approximately three sentences from one interview article.  I suggest that you reduce the number of quotes you're taking from any one article, Reservoirhill.  I suggest that you create a subpage by following the link on the template, and make a version of the article there that doesn't have too many quotes from any one source.  The version of the article you wrote is still in the page history.  Thank you! ☺ Coppertwig(talk) 22:00, 18 November 2008 (UTC)

Edit request from 24.150.176.172, 15 February 2011
Second or third line is vandalism, I can't fix it. Someone help.

24.150.176.172 (talk) 00:47, 15 February 2011 (UTC)


 * I think it is Pictogram voting wait.svg Already done → ♠ Gƒoley ↔ Four ♣ ← 01:21, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

Talk-page protected
The level of commentary on the subject of this article is out of hand. WP:TALKPAGE is clear that anything other than specific discussion about improving the article itself, for example editor's opinions on something related to the topic, are not appropriate in general. Toss in WP:BLP, and we're well outside anything even remotely allowable here. This is why we can't have nice things children.DMacks (talk) 03:06, 16 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Surely you are not referring to the friendly discussion I just had with User:RobHar about whether or not to include the phrase "making her the first jazz artist to win the award." That discussion above, entitled "First jazz artist to win best new artist grammy?" was necessary to resolve this issue and therefore improve the article. I did not see you chiming in on that issue, so I assume we were allowed to discuss it. --Skol fir (talk) 04:04, 16 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I did not say "no discussion", or even "no discussion about improving article". If you've been here the past day or two, you have obviously seen the items that have been removed vs those that have not (or can check the talk-page history). By semi-protecting, all the anon-IPs are blocked, which allows more established editors less interuption while actually working on improving the article. DMacks (talk) 04:13, 16 February 2011 (UTC)
 * That's what I thought... just checking. :-) --Skol fir (talk) 04:19, 16 February 2011 (UTC)

Date of birth
In winning the Grammy she may now be a public figure, so considering WP:DOB it may acceptable to include date of birth found at Amazon.com, Artist Overview, At a Glance: Oct 18 1984. BoboLink81 (talk) 19:39, 16 February 2011 (UTC)

Can we lock this page for a while?
I believe we should lock this article for a few weeks until all the hype dies down. Letting people get away with this is unacceptable and unprofessional. Johnhg7 (talk) 04:35, 17 February 2011 (UTC)
 * ✅. Semi'ed 2 weeks. DMacks (talk) 06:10, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

First jazz artist to win best new artist grammy?
Last night, I removed a claim that she was the first jazz artist to win the best new artist grammy (since Sade and Norah Jones have both won; granted Esperanza Spalding is definitely "jazzier"). The claim was reinserted with a reference, which is fine except that it's a reference to an online business newspaper, hardly the place I go for the type of music industry analysis I'd put in the lede of a wiki article. I'd be tempted to ask for a better reference to such a prominent claim. Does anyone else have an opinion on this? RobHar (talk) 16:42, 15 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Now that I google (news) around some, I see that the "first jazz artist" to win the award does appear in several sources, most notably perhaps the LA times. Still, I'm not that satisfied. RobHar (talk) 17:18, 15 February 2011 (UTC)


 * I always considered Norah Jones as a pop singer. She is more like a Joni Mitchell, if you want to compare. The year Norah won her Best New Artist award (in 2003) she also won Best Pop Vocal Album. There is no mention of jazz in any of the five awards she won that year. As for Sade, the year she won Best New Artist (1986) she won nothing else. After that, she has only won R&B and Pop awards, never jazz. You might be blurring the lines between what you see as jazz and pop. Spalding is Jazz, first and foremost, as you can see from her recordings so far. Her mentors are all jazz musicians. The first sound clip of Spalding that I ever heard was of her Scat singing, accompanied by her bass instrument. Now that's true blue jazz, for sure. That's all I have to say. --Skol fir (talk) 17:33, 15 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I added another reference for the fact (first jazz artist to win), if you are still not convinced. --Skol fir (talk) 17:54, 15 February 2011 (UTC)


 * I completely agree that Esperanza Spalding is jazz in a way more serious/pure way than Norah Jones or Sade. But that doesn't make them not jazz artists. The first genre listed in Norah Jones' infobox in her article here on wikipedia is jazz, for example. All musical genre boundaries are blurred, and such a sweeping statement as "first jazz artist ever to win..." is a bit much, I think. Are Muse rock? I mean they won Best Rock album, and weren't even nominated for best alternative album, but who are we kidding, they're alternative. The Black Keys won best alternative album, and best rock song. These categories are a bit silly. Kenny G was nominated (!) for best pop instrumental album. But he's the poster child of "smooth jazz". Is "smooth jazz" jazz? I'd be happy with Esperanza Spalding being "the first pure jazz artist ever to win...", but the term "jazz" by itself encompasses quite a lot. RobHar (talk) 18:08, 15 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Granted, genres are sometimes blurred, even by the artist himself. However, when someone makes a statement that "she is the first jazz artist to win the award," there is no need to add the word "pure". That word is implied by the fact that the statement is even made at all. So, I don't see the point in adding the word "pure." That would be redundant. For the time being, she has stuck to the jazz genre, whereas the other artists you mentioned are the ones who strayed from the fold, so to speak, and don't deserve the description "jazz artist", now or ever. --Skol fir (talk) 18:40, 15 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Wow. Norah Jones and Sade do not "deserve" the description "jazz artist". Perhaps you should pop on over to List of jazz vocalists and take Norah Jones off before she gives everyone else cooties. RobHar (talk) 01:16, 16 February 2011 (UTC)


 * For the record, Jones has said herself that she is no longer performing jazz, and that she is actively pursuing other musical avenues, probably mass market entertainment. So no, she would not call herself a jazz vocalist. Don't believe everything that appears on Wikipedia. It is open to discussion, as you know.


 * Here is a comment made in 2004, by Neil Spencer - 'The moment you put a label on music, especially "jazz" or "world", people start turning off,' he says. 'I find I can play more adventurous things than ever, whether it's Sun Ra or Amy [Winehouse]; as long as you don't use the "J" word, people are interested. With the Norah effect melting the barriers between generations and genres, 'pop' and 'serious', twenty-first-century music is proving a surprising place.' --from Keeping up with Jones.--Skol fir (talk) 01:36, 16 February 2011 (UTC)


 * About 20 years ago I heard Nat Adderley at Sweet Basil. He claimed that "Work Song" had earned him a Grammy. If you dig deeper you will probably find more jazz related Grammy awards - maybe none in the category "New Artist" but I even doubt that. Jost Riedel (talk) 09:15, 19 February 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from 86.53.208.162, 24 February 2011
Somebody has spoiled this artical by leaving insulting text at the top of the article.I would be grateful if you would remove the idiot bufoon's words.

86.53.208.162 (talk) 11:14, 24 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Appears to be fixed now, and the vandal-editor blocked. DMacks (talk) 15:42, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Dance2coool, 10 March 2011
hey can i please edit some information? i found some very intresting stuff about her child hood.

Dance2coool (talk) 20:39, 10 March 2011 (UTC)
 * That's not how an edit request works. You have to tell us exactly what you want to add (with sources for verifiability). OhNo itsJamie  Talk 20:51, 10 March 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Arion2003, 24 May 2011
Please add the following external interview link:
 * Esperanza Spalding interview for OnTheGig.com

Arion2003 (talk) 06:22, 24 May 2011 (UTC)
 * ✅. No linkspam and complements the interview on allaboutjaz.com, which is linked to from the external links as well. Pim Rijkee (talk) 10:40, 24 May 2011 (UTC)

hi. that picture of her in her info box is just not cool.
April 5, 2011 When is the image going to be changed? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.193.253.14 (talk) 05:06, 5 April 2011 (UTC) im going to attempt to change it later. thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Empress Ericka (talk • contribs) 18:12, 6 August 2010 (UTC)


 * I actually totally agree, that image is in too much of an unappealing posture. I recommend replacing it with a candid or profile shot. Feng277394 (talk) 07:05, 27 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Find a better one that is available for distribution, and we'll use it. Picture has to be free and clear of copyright or any other restrictions, or must satisfy Wikipedia's fair use requirements. Tvoz / talk 09:05, 27 February 2011 (UTC)
 * "Coolness" of a picture is a subjective matter. As a jazz artist, the current picture captures the intensity of hers that may be described as cool akin to John Coltraine's facial intensity on the sax. I will agree that ever since the grammy win, Spalding has become more mainstream and so the main picture could adopt a more sugar-coated look that general wiki readership would interpret as appealing such as one with a simple smile. By the way, the current picture is very candid; contrived is the opposite and perhaps more flattering pose.Kjmonkey (talk) 09:49, 27 February 2011 (UTC)

I agree as well. I don't own any rights to any photo of her, but possibly someone can contact her agent or something and get a nice portrait or something up there. I'm pretty sure whoever put that up there was an angry bieber fan. I'm so sorry this page had to be attacked by uneducated individuals who don't have good taste music-wise.starburst156 (talk) 09:27, 21 July 2011 (UTC)

A note regarding recent disrespectful actions on this page
I'm sure most Wikipedia members are aware of the recent posts on this page, mostly insults from angry Justin Bieber fans as a result of Esperanza's win at the Grammy's. This is my response to it: While I am aware that we Americans are entitled to the freedom of speech, what we had the misfourtune of reading in Feburary was absolutely uncalled for. You may not agree with the voter's decision to grant her the award, but at this point nothing can be done about it. She is a talented musician with excellent taste and your lack of self edit and manners is embarrassing to everyone on Wikipedia, even in America. Do you know why some countries in The Middle East and a certain East Asian country (I won't name names) don't allow Wikipedia? It's because they don't want their people reading about life in other countries because it's better elsewhere. Do you have any idea how freaking lucky you are just to have the freedom of speech as a birthright? I am so grateful everyday, as are many immigrants are, for the fact that it is just imposed on us as a basic right that everyone deserves. There are countries where even if you look at the leader (with some, um, interesting hair if you know what I mean.) the wrong way you will be shot down, let alone staging a revolution. I highly doubt any of you who hung your dirty laundry with Esperanza on Wikipedia give a darn about any person anywhere else in the world who would give their right arm just to be a ghetto kid with a single parent in the 'hood, because that situation must be undeniably better than the one they are in right now. Do you think I wasn't mad that Lady Antebellum got song of the year over Florence and The Machine? Because I was. But instead of telling them to "go die in a hole" (unlike you guys), I was happy for them. Why can't you guys do the same for Esperanza? A grammy is a big deal. I don't necessairly like Justin Bieber, but I would have at least been happy for him. I hope that some day you will be able to understand what kind of blessing it was for you to be born in the United States and at least respect your enemies. Thank you for reading. -Starburst156 P.S. I am open to any critism or congratulations you may want to send my way. Just make sure it is constructive and respectful, unlike what you left Esperanza. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.27.43.15 (talk) 03:12, 22 July 2011 (UTC)

File:Esperanza on the Bass.jpg Nominated for speedy Deletion
It's copyrighted by the original owner, Esperanza Spalding I've put the right information in when I upload the image...

Joshua the Independent 23:19, 22 August 2011 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Joshua the Independent (talk • contribs)

My Edits
There is no need to revert to the old page before I got there, y'all. This is an encyclopedia not a freaking easy read opinion site.Joshua the Independent 23:25, 22 August 2011 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Joshua the Independent (talk • contribs)

Can we add a reference to the collaboration with Tineke Postma?
Spalding collaborated with Tineke Postma on the track Leave Me A Place Underground from the album The Dawn Of Light in 2011.

Challenge Records (March 2011). "Tineke Postma - The Dawn Of Light"

— Preceding unsigned comment added by Epronk (talk • contribs) 00:01, 21 November 2011 (UTC)
 * If you have a reliable source, and if it's a notable activity, then please post the source, and once you have WP:CONSENSUS for it, I'm sure someone will do it ... or else use the editprotected template that you see ( talk→  BWilkins   ←track ) 00:07, 24 November 2011 (UTC)

How does one hack a Wikipedia page?
Supposedly it happened. Was there anything behind the scenes or just hitting the edit button? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Fingala (talk • contribs) 01:50, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

Uhhh...you know that anyone can edit it right?


 * Just a lot of people vandalizing at the same time. → ♠ Gƒoley ↔ Four ♣ ← 02:32, 15 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Haha. Just a lot of people vandalizing... Anyway, this page should have had a protection template. Epic Genius 02:07, 12 March 2013 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Epicgenius (talk • contribs)

Page vandalism makes news
Well, it looks like her article getting attacked by Bieber fans has become newsworthy:,. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 10:23, 14 February 2011 (UTC)
 * An expansion on her Grammy win for Best New Artist might be appropriate anyway. Maybe put news links to the reaction (both positive and negative) there? PenoftheAuthor (talk) 20:26, 14 February 2011 (UTC):
 * Included it above. Donnie Park (talk) 22:15, 14 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Bieber fan reactions are inappropriate for her biography. They were surprised, so what. This is not a real controversy - as in, some irregularity in voting or some such - this is a bunch of children who are disappointed.  Does not belong here. Tvoz / talk 06:33, 15 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Agreed, 100%. Thanks for stating it so clearly, Tvoz. --Skol fir (talk) 06:42, 15 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Any time. Tvoz / talk 07:31, 15 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Also agreed. If all incidences of vandalism in the wikipedia were held as notable, many other articles would likewise have similar "controversy" sections. Kjmonkey (talk) 08:20, 15 February 2011 (UTC)
 * OHHH NOOOO, IPs AGAIN!!!!!! That's exactly how I feel. Any takers? Epic Genius 02:09, 12 March 2013 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Epicgenius (talk • contribs)
 * I missed the Grammy broadcast, and I never heard of her till the news stories about the vandalism. The vandalism is notable– this event is of interest to wikipedia readers, regardless of all those wonderful guidelines which some people think they are the guardians of.  It is in fact what Esperanza is most famous for at the moment.  However, including this in the article right now would just encourage the vandals.  Be that as it may, the angry Bieber fans might want to take a look at the list of past New Artist winners.  Not all of them turned out to be superstars: even Milli Vanilli won this award. It doesn't make much difference if Bieber wins this award or not.  Timothy Horrigan (talk) 11:59, 16 February 2011 (UTC)

Removed a bunch of categories
Ms. Spalding is not a guitarist, she is a bassist. I removed a bunch of guitarist categories from the article. 71.206.111.39 (talk) 21:13, 7 September 2013 (UTC)

New Section Idea
I believe we should add a section mentioning this page's target by Bieber fans. READ ==> http://gawker.com/5759473/bieber-fans-attack-esperanza-spaldings-wikipedia-page <== READ — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.118.83.19 (talk) 04:28, 31 October 2013 (UTC)

Discography: duets, guest appearances, etc.
The section of the Discography that includes "collaborations", duets, etc. needs a major update to include all the works written about in the body of the article, such as Bruno Mars. Also I think it would be best to move the discography to a seperate page.Design (talk) 11:29, 10 February 2016 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just added archive links to 5 one external links on Esperanza Spalding. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add after the link to keep me from modifying it. Alternatively, you can add to keep me off the page altogether. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive http://web.archive.org/web/20110217000302/http://www.esperanzaspalding.com:80/cms/?page_id=10 to http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/cms/?page_id=10
 * Added archive http://web.archive.org/web/20120305103045/http://ayvamusica.com/index.php?/nada/esperanza-spalding---junjo/ to http://ayvamusica.com/index.php?/nada/esperanza-spalding---junjo/
 * Added archive http://web.archive.org/web/20090215042531/http://blog.nu-soulmag.com:80/?p=234 to http://blog.nu-soulmag.com/?p=234
 * Added archive http://web.archive.org/web/20120206030249/http://www.glidemagazine.com:80/articles/57981/esperanza-spalding-releasing-new-album-radio-music-society.html to http://www.glidemagazine.com/articles/57981/esperanza-spalding-releasing-new-album-radio-music-society.html
 * Added archive http://web.archive.org/web/20140318203416/http://ftsblog.net/tag/esperanza-spalding/ to http://ftsblog.net/tag/esperanza-spalding/

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Section "Instruments"
So apparently she only plays fretless electic basses, yet both pictures showing her with one show a fretted bass. What is this fuckery?-217.248.22.214 (talk) 00:10, 29 March 2016 (UTC)


 * The Fender Jaco Pastorius Jazz Bass is fretless but has fret lines (as opposed to plainboard fretless). Lines aren't frets. ---Sluzzelin talk  00:29, 29 March 2016 (UTC)
 * Thanks for clearing that up!-217.248.22.214 (talk) 13:44, 29 March 2016 (UTC)

First jazz artist to win Grammy Award for Best New Artist?
"She has won four Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 53rd Grammy Awards,[4] making her the first jazz artist to win the award.[5][6]" Wait, what about Norah Jones who got Best New Artist few years prior? 46.39.230.97 (talk) 10:29, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

More Instruments
Getty images have many photos of Esperanza playing what appears to be a black Fender Standard Jazz Bass fretless from 2012-2016. Here is a link to one of many  http://www.gettyimages.com.au/pictures/esperanza-spalding-performs-onstage-during-the-music-of-news-photo-467377300#esperanza-spalding-performs-onstage-during-the-music-of-david-byrne-picture-id467377300 It would be good to find a verfiable source so this can be included in the article under "Instruments". Also in 2016 she has been playing a Moollon Chambered Double P5 Fretless Bass seen here on the Moollon facebook page https://www.facebook.com/moollon/photos/a.415268858682025.1073741829.409548215920756/506300232912220/?type=3&theater Design (talk) 07:47, 23 July 2016 (UTC)
 * can anyone help with proper sources for this info? thanks. Design (talk) 10:15, 16 August 2016 (UTC)

External links modified
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 * Added archive http://www.webcitation.org/63bRXv6ZA?url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees to http://www.grammy.com/NOMINEES
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20100210043355/http://www.insidelux.com:80/2010/02/07/esperanza-spalding-the-trediest-artist-according-to-google/ to http://www.insidelux.com/2010/02/07/esperanza-spalding-the-trediest-artist-according-to-google/
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20100224080513/http://video.pbs.org:80/video/1397474775 to http://video.pbs.org/video/1397474775/

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External links modified
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I have just modified 3 external links on Esperanza Spalding. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20110918095912/http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2008/5/28/in-conversation-with-esperanza-spalding to http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2008/5/28/in-conversation-with-esperanza-spalding
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20080609224809/http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2008/5/28/in-conversation-with-esperanza-spalding to http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2008/5/28/in-conversation-with-esperanza-spalding
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20120317191034/http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/cms/?p=2011 to http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/cms/?p=2011

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External links modified
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I have just modified 5 external links on Esperanza Spalding. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20110713001210/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/112385/20110215/spalding-has-made-history-in-winning-best-new-artist-award.htm to http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/112385/20110215/spalding-has-made-history-in-winning-best-new-artist-award.htm
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20110715105218/http://thevig.portlandtribune.com/features/story.php?story_id=8102 to http://thevig.portlandtribune.com/features/story.php?story_id=8102
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20110812154707/http://blog.parkcity.tv/2009/05/pc-jazz-fest-announces-lineup.html to http://blog.parkcity.tv/2009/05/pc-jazz-fest-announces-lineup.html
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20120309031131/http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=90004 to http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=90004
 * Added archive https://archive.is/20130202151602/http://www.societyhae.com/video/esperanza-spaldingthe-roots to http://www.societyhae.com/video/esperanza-spaldingthe-roots

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Charity work
Added a line.--Daveler16 (talk) 01:46, 24 September 2018 (UTC)

Good article nomination
Just wanted to let you all (as those who seem to be the biggest contributors to this article) know that I've nominated this article (Esperanza Spalding) to be reviewed as a good article. Thanks for your hard work! –LogStar100 (talk) 16:40, 2 March 2021 (UTC)

Bass guitar
In this video—esperanza spalding quartet "jazz sous les pommiers 2008"—at 21:26 and 39:06, ES plays the strings of a bass on the body of an acoustic guitar. A literal bass guitar. What are the name, make, and model of this instrument? It belongs in the list of her instruments. Johanna-Hypatia (talk) 13:39, 1 October 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks, I have now added the instrument and a reference. It’s a Doolin ABG4 Acoustic Bass Guitar. Design (talk) 22:56, 1 October 2021 (UTC)

Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment
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