Serious

Vocalist and bassist Esperanza Spalding is one of the scene’s fastrising stars. She’s come a long way in a very short time, playing with Joe Lovano and Stevie Wonder among others. Her amazing jazz vocalese features here in the premiere of her new project, Chamber Music Society, which combines her effervescent jazz style with richly textured strings.

“Esperanza Spalding is a marvel. Everything this leggy, Afro-haired wunderkind does is jazz of the highest order. Her latest album has a chamber-jazz feel yet simultaneously manages to be funky and warm. The girl just can’t help sounding hip.” Evening Standard

Zoe Rahman is a mesmerising soloist and composer. A Mercury Prize-nominated pianist who’s made a virtue of blending a lyrical touch with sounds from her Bengali heritage to create a distinctive vision of jazz.

BBC Radio 3: Zoe Rahman will be broadcast in World on 3 on Fri 10 Dec, and Esperanza Spalding in Jazz Line-Up on Sun 23 Jan 2011.

Watch a video about the new project here

Part of the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3