Veteran contemporary jazz quartet Fourplay has been known to feature special guest vocalists on its recordings, but in recent years it has turned mostly to its bassist, Nathan East, for vocal duties. On its latest release, Energy, the foursome not only feature East but jazz sensation Esperanza Spalding.
Spalding is an upright bassist and vocalist, who recently released her CD Esperanza on the Heads Up International label. She joins Fourplay to sing "Prelude For Love," an original tune penned by Hilary James, daughter of keyboardist Bob James, and her husband Kevin DiSimone.
East explains that Spalding was suggested to the group as a singer by the Heads Up label. Said East: "We hadn't really heard of her. And when we heard her voice, and especially what she did with the song, we just became instant fans. And I actually had a chance to see her live and she's an amazing musician, just a very, very bright, shining star."
Energy also features the current smooth jazz single "Fortune Teller."
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