Esperanza Spalding is an American jazz bassist, cellist and singer, who draws upon many genres in her own compositions. br Spalding was raised in Portland, Oregon and was a musical prodigy at an early age, playing violin in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon at age five. She was later both self-taught and trained on multiple instruments, including guitar and bass. Her proficiency earned her scholarships to Portland State University and the Berklee College of Music.