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When it comes to Tiny Desk, it’s impossible not to remember Esperanza Spalding. The bassist, American singer and songwriter already has three passages at the iconic NPR project, American broadcaster. In addition, the artist opens the 2nd edition of the Brazil Style Festival, held by Metropolison September 21st.
The first record, on October 12, 2010, recorded at the station’s office in Washington; The edition adapted by the pandemic, the Tiny Desk (Home) Concert, launched on January 7, 2022; And the latest, on August 7, 2024, filmed at Milton Nascimento’s house in Minas Gerais as a way to celebrate the collaborative album “Milton + Esperanza”.
In the last video, Suuaya Mohamed, executive producer of NPR Music, highlighted the historical character of the recording: “We rarely publish the Tiny Desk (Home) Concerts. But, having the glorious icon of Brazilian music Milton Nascimento with his talented friend and collaborator, Esperanza Spalding, as an exception may be the opportunity of a life.
The recurring presence of spalding in Tiny Desk confirms the position as one of the most inventive artists of contemporary jazz.
Winner of Grammy by revelation artist in 2011-the first time the prize was given to someone from Jazz-she has consolidated a career in an innovation trajectory, moving between scholarship, Afro-latin music and collaborations with icons such as Prince, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorte.
Each spalding participation in Tiny Desk reflects a distinct moment of career. In the 2010 video, the then young promise presented virtuosity on the double bass and the crystalline voice, mixing Afro-latin references.
Already at the 2022 Home Concert, she brought to the audience excerpts from the project “Songwrights Apothecary Lab”, created to explore the relationship between music and healing.
The third appearance, in the backyard of Milton Nascimento, crowned the partnership that resulted in the album “Milton + Esperanza” and reaffirmed the cultural bridge between the United States and Brazil.
Tiny Desk Brasil on the way
The presence of spalding alongside Milton Nascimento also serves as a prelude to the arrival of Tiny Desk Brasil, a national version of the musical picture created by NPR and will have the first edition in 2025.
The proposal is to keep the intimate spirit of the original project, but with Brazilian accent, bringing together artists of different generations and genres.
While the Brazilian edition does not debut, the image of Esperanza Spalding remains as a symbol of continuity: a name that, more than a decade after the first visit to NPR’s small office, continues to expand the limits of music and open the way to new forms of listening.
And if in Tiny Desk her performances enchanted by the intimate and engaging atmosphere, at the Brazil style festival this same energy promises to gain a new dimension, bringing the intensity of the almost private meeting to a grand stage, without losing the proximity that defines her art.
Save on the agenda!
The 2nd edition of the Brazil Style Festival starts on September 21 and will bring together renowned attractions at the Ulysses Convention Center in Brasilia (DF). The line-up has heavy artists such as Martinho da Vila, Paralamas do Sucesso, Fagner, Lô Borges, Beto Guedes and Esperanza Spalding.
With the offer of Banco do Brasil Style, BB Visa Cards sponsorship, Banco do Brasil and Federal Government, the project is carried out by Metropolis And it has the production of OH! Arts.
Schedule:
Hope Spalding
September 21
Fagner
October 24
Lô Borges, Beto Guedes and Sérgio Hinds
Tour: Corns & Songs
October 25
Martinho da Vila
October 31
Paralamas do Sucesso & Dado Villa Lobos
Tour: Celebrating 40 years of classics
November 21
Brazil Style Festival
Local: Ulysses Center for Convention
Data: From September 21, 2025
Tickets:
