Esperanza Spalding Plays the Ridgefield Playhouse Tonight

The 29-year-old 2011 Best New Artist Grammy Award winner (the only jazz artist to ever win it) is described as totally cool. The fact that she sings and is a bass and cello virtuoso is totally awesome. Her 2012 jazz-chart-topping, Grammy-winning Radio Music Society is a testament to her immense talent, which is worthy of a live performance at The Ridgefield Playhouse tonight, October 1, at 8 p.m.

It will be Esperanza Spalding's "Thank-You October" tour, and she will be joined by long-time collaborators Leo Genovese and Lyndon Rochelle for an intimate performance that includes selections from her critically acclaimed releases Junjo, Esperanza, Chamber Music Society and Radio Music Society. No. 109 Cheese & Wine will serve a wine tasting at 7:15 p.m. during this evening of Art, Wine and Jazz. The work of local artist Pamela Hochstetter will be displayed courtesy of Watershed Gallery. This event is part of the No. 109 Cheese & Wine "Art, Wine and Jazz" Series. Piccolo's Pizza & Pasta Jazzeria (24 Prospect St., Ridgefield) will pour a complimentary glass of wine with dinner the night of this show when ticket is presented.

A four-time Grammy Award winner, Esperanza draws upon many genres in her own compositions and in her most recent video We Are America. Hailed as a prodigy on the acoustic double bass within months of first touching the instrument as a 15-year-old, Esperanza Spalding has emerged as a fine jazz bassist, but has also distinguished herself playing blues, funk, hip-hop, pop fusion, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban styles. She was the best-selling contemporary jazz artist of 2011, and her album Chamber Music Society was the best-selling contemporary jazz album.

Spalding's ability to perform in various genres was showcased when she sang the Louis Armstrong standard "What A Wonderful World" at the 84th Academy Awards alongside the Southern California Children's Chorus. At the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies, Spalding performed to honor the 2009 Laureate President Barack Obama and was personally selected by Obama. Spalding also was invited to sing along with Patti LaBelle, Alicia Keys and Janelle Monáe at a tribute to Prince.

For tickets ($60 orches., $55 mezzanine/balc.), call or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

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