You’ve probably never heard of Esperanza Spalding. It’s understandable. A friend of mine thought she was a type of Spanish basketball, so I try not to talk music with him anymore.

Esperanza Spalding is quickly becoming one of jazz music’s leading double-bass players, vocalists, and composers. Her innovative, intricate style, along with her sultry voice, is causing mass amounts of people to turn their heads and silently mouth: “Who’s that?” Spalding’s first effort, 2006’s Junjo, was a soulful and fresh exploration of creativity that had both jazz fans and music critics craving for more. Spalding happily obliged with 2008’s Esperanza, her sonic statement to the rest of the music world that she is a force to be reckoned with. The album depicts Spalding’s youthful and charismatic style, while showcasing her seemingly infinite creativity and ability.

So, now you’re thinking how good can she really be, right? I was too, at one point. Then I found out that Esperanza Spalding is the youngest professor in history at the Berklee School of Music, at age 24. Most people I know, myself included, are hoping they still don’t live with their parents at 24.

Spalding recently made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Show with David Letterman last month, but you can catch her on tour, as she is currently on a non-stop world tour through October. Or you can catch one of the insanely tight videos of her ripping up the stage on YouTube. Either way, you’re going to see Esperanza Spalding very, very soon. Capitalize on her music now, so later on you’ll have your chance to be hip and say "Oh, I liked Esperanza Spalding stuff before she was big."

Check out her official website here or her MySpace here.

07.12.2008 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhagen Jazz Festival 07.14.2008 - Stuttgart, Germany - Jazzopen Stuttgart 07.16.2008 - Pori, Finland - Otava Factory 07.17.2008 - Pori, Finland - Porin Teatteri 07.18.2008 - Pori, Finland - Kinjurinluoto Arena* 08.03.2008 - Schenectady, NY - Music Heaven Stage at Central Park 08.05.2008 - Buffalo, NY - Univeristy at Buffalo South Campus 08.06.2008 - Cleveland, OH - Night Town 08.10.2008 - Newport, RI - JVC Jazz Festival 08.23.2008 - New York City, NY - Nokia Theater 08.30.2008 - Detroit, MI - Detroit International Jazz Festival 09.03.2008 - Osaka, Japan - Billboard Live Osaka 09.04.2008 - Fukuoka, Japan - Billboard Live Osaka 09.05.2008 - Tokyo, Japan - Billboard Live Tokyo 09.06.2008 - Tokyo, Japan - Billboard Live Tokyo 09.10.2008 - Barcelona, Spain - Luz de Gas 09.12.2008 - Madrid, Spain - Colonial Norte 09.14.2008 - Berlin, Germany - Ancienne Belgique 09.15.2008 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - BimHuis 09.16.2008 - Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique 09.18.2008 - Oslo, Norway - Cosmopolite 09.19.2008 - Bergen, Norway - Sardinen USF 09.20.2008 - Trondheim, Norway - Kjellern 09.24.2008 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Jazz House 09.25.2008 - V. Skerninge, Denmark - Giant Steps 09.26.2008 - Goteborg, Sweden - Nefertiti Jazzklubb 09.27.2008 - Stockholm, Sweden - Fasching Club 09.28.2008 - Helsingborg, Sweden - Dunkers Kulturhus 09.20.2008 - Darmstadt, Germany - Central Station 10.04.2008 - Falmouth, MA - Falmouth Jazz Festival 10.10.2008 - College Park, Maryland - College Park 10.11.2008 - New York City, NY - Wellin Hal 10.22.2008 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - TIM Festival 10.24.2008 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - TIM Festival

* opening for Carlos Santana