Bassist/composer/vocalist Esperanza Spalding will present the world premiere of her “Endangered Species” sand animation film at the National Mall in Washington, DC, to coincide with Earth Day April 22, 2012. The video, a track from Spalding’s new release Radio Music Society, will be shown to over 250,000 people on three Jumbotron video screens. “Endangered Species” will be simulcast online through the Earth Day Network. Spalding’s April 22 concert at the Orpheum Theater in Boston will also be an official Earth Day Event. That evening, fans will be able to go to http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/ to download the “Endangered Species” film for free (for a limited time) and donate to the Amazon Aid Foundation.
Spalding says, “Now, more urgently than ever before, is the time to show our dedication and gratitude to the earth and all its inhabitants by working to protect and heal the earth’s natural systems from the deadly abuses humans have mounted on nature. And, for each person’s skill set, there is a unique part each one of us can play in the healing and protecting process. I am very honored this Earth Day to contribute my gifts by debuting my new music video ‘Endangered Species.’ All proceeds from this video go to environmental conservation organizations.”
On March 20th, 2012, Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group, released Radio Music Society, Spalding’s most diverse, ambitious and masterful recital yet. Radio Music Society, debuted at #10 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and #1 on theBillboard Contemporary Jazz Chart.
The songs on Radio Music Society are accompanied by conceptual short films, which further express Esperanza’s inspiration and story behind each track. Shot in various locations including New York City; Barcelona, Spain; and Portland, Oregon; all films will be available to purchasers of Radio Music Society as a digital download or on a DVD in the deluxe version.
Esperanza Spalding Statement 4-18-2012
Of course, every day is “Earth Day,” in that each and every day we thrive and grow is thanks to the bounty of the earth’s natural systems.
So when the official “Earth Day” comes around, I think of it as a birthday celebration to remember and honor our most loved one. On Earth Day, we take time out of our busy-body lives to remember our gratitude, we remember “Yes, I’m SO glad this earth and its natural systems were born and thrive, and it is my privilege and responsibility to care for and protect nature.”
Deciding how to celebrate Earth Day can pose some unique challenges. First I think, “How can I show gratitude for all that mother earth gives me?”
Well, truthfully, anything I can do PALES in comparison to what the earth does for us…water, air, soil, oceans, mountains, rain, endless beauty, limitless inspiration! (just to name a FEW). So, what the hell will some piddly celebration do for the earth?
More than ever before, we have the opportunity to show our dedication and gratitude to the earth and all its inhabitants by working to protect and heal the earth’s natural systems from the deadly abuses our species has mounted on nature. And, for each person’s skill set there is a unique part one can play in the healing and protecting process…
So when we celebrate Earth Day, we help each other remember not just our gratitude to and dependence on mother earth, but our responsibility to step up and counter the ills and assaults battered on nature and her inhabitants.
So (in spite of my puny ability to show reverence) what I’ve decided to do is offer to the celebration an ode to Mother Nature. The song titled “Endangered Species” was written by Wayne Shorter and Joseph Vitarelli. I recently wrote lyrics for the piece inspired by the dangers many of earth’s residents face: environmental degradation, habitat destruction, overfishing, overhunting, water contamination, increasing production of toxic and non-biodegradable compounds and materials, increasing CO2 emissions, and deforestation (sadly, just to name a few!).
The video “Endangered Species,” animated by sand artist Kseniya Simonova features some residents of earth in desperate danger (of course, we are also a species in danger!).
Although the truth of endangered species’ plight is tragic, I hope when people watch this video, they’ll be reminded that we have the potential to live in harmony with nature. We can choose our actions…while yes, our survival is intrinsically linked with the health of the earth’s natural systems, we dictate our destiny through our actions, and we DO have the power to STOP the assault on mother earth. All proceeds from the sale of this video and song go the Amazon Aid Foundation which works to stop de-forestation.
Through honest analysis of the actions that must be taken to protect earth’s many imperiled eco-systems, hands on work healing damages that have been done, loud advocacy (yes loud, this is urgent!) for the protection of fragile eco-systems and many easy and not-so-easy lifestyle changes, we can each contribute our unique talents to the most pressing challenge of our time: saving our home.
HAPPY EARTH DAY!
ESPERANZA
Spalding kicks off her world tour on April 18:
April 18 – Buffalo, NY – Center For The Arts
April 19 – Cleveland, OH – Metro Campus Auditorium
April 21 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
April 22 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
April 24 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
April 25 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
April 27 – Hollywood, CA – The Music Box
May 1 – Dallas, TX – House Of Blues
May 2 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues
May 3 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival
May 5 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theatre
May 7 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
May 9 – Durham, NC – Carolina Theatre
May 10 – Charlotte, NC – Knight Theatre
May 12 – Washington, DC – Howard Theatre
May 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
May 23 – Paris, France – La Cigale
May 24 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso
May 25 – Bergen, Norway – Nattjazz
May 26 – Madrid, Spain – Joy
May 28 – London, UK – KoKo
June 27 – Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Jazz Festival
June 29 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis Theatre
June 30 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
