The biggest upset of the 2011 Grammy Awards was when jazz bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding won for Best New Artist. Who is Esperanza Spalding? Esperanza Spalding is an American multi-instrumentalist best known as a jazz bassist and singer, who draws upon many genres in her own compositions. She won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 53rd Grammy Awards, making her the first jazz artist to win the award. Spalding grew up in Portland, Oregon, in a neighborhood she describes as the “ghetto”. Her mother raised her and her brother as a single parent. Esperanza beat out teenage superstar Justin Bieber for the Best New Artist, as well as Drake, Florence and the Machine and Mumford and Sons. To say she was a long shot for the award was an understatement. Check out the Kimberley Vassal partners page to see where you can save!
