Esperanza Spalding

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

Spalding was born in Portland, Oregon, to an African American father and a mother of Welsh, Native American, and Hispanic descent. She was raised in the King, Alberta neighborhood in Northeast Portland which at that time was at its height of gang violence. Her mother raised her and her brother as a single parent.

Source: Wikipedia