Recorded in Brazil during 2023, it is a dream come true collaboration and musical representation of a friendship that was first kindled nearly 15 years ago. It is “Milton and Hope”, the new album by Brazilian Milton Nascimento and musician/composer Esperanza Spalding – will be released on August 9.
The album features 16 tracks that celebrate and reimagine five of Nascimento’s beloved classics, newly written originals by Spalding, and interpretations of The Beatles’ “A day in the life” and Michael Jackson’s “Earth song” among other works that explore the music of Brazil and far beyond.
Special guest appearances include Paul Simon, Dianne Reeves, Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadú, Tim Bernardes, Carolina Shorter, Shabaka Hutchings and more. “Milton + esperanza” features duets between these two voices and what Spalding identifies as a central theme of the album: the importance of younger generations creating with, learning from, and building new worlds with elders.
Nascimento began making records in the late ‘60s and was immediately recognized as an evocative lyricist—his subject matter encompasses protest songs and the natural world; songs of friendship, love, and racial harmony.
Nascimento’s music has influenced generations of talents; including a young Spalding, who first heard his music while hosting a dinner party with Brazilian friends. One of her guests put on Native Dancer, Nascimento’s 1975 collaboration with saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. “Ninety percent of things I write, I’m thinking of him. I’m thinking of his voice. I’m imagining singing it with him. He’s a very present part of my creative imagination.”
A dream that Spalding never would have expected to come true, they met in Brazil and a friendship was formed (thanks in part to an introduction made by Herbie Hancock). Their first collaboration would be on Spalding’s 2010 release Chamber Music Society, with Nascimento singing on “Apple Blossom.”
A dream that Spalding never would have expected to come true. They met in Brazil and a friendship was formed (thanks in part to an introduction made by Herbie Hancock). Their first collaboration would be on Spalding’s 2010 release Chamber Music Society, with Nascimento singing on “Apple Blossom.”
“Milton + esperanza” was made throughout 2023 and is produced, arranged and executive produced by Spalding. Though some work was done in the States, much of the recording happened in Rio. It features Spalding’s core band of Matthew Stevens (guitar), Justin Tyson and Eric Doob (drums), Leo Genovese (piano), Corey D. King (vocals, synths), and several Brazilian musicians, including Orquestra Ouro Preto, percussionists Kainã Do Jêje and Ronaldinho Silva, and Lula Galvão and Guinga on guitar.
This is Spalding’s first new album release since 2021’s Songwrights apothecary lab, which along with 2019’s 12 Little Spells, both won Grammy Awards (Best Jazz Vocal Album).
Last year Spalding released a protest song entitled “Não Ao Marco Temporal” that was recorded in Rio and addresses the Temporal Framework, an initiative in Brazil that threatens Indigenous Brazilians’ land rights and poses a major risk to the Amazon rainforest. A 5-time Grammy winner and 11-time nominee, Spalding has previously released 8 full length albums and in addition to working with her heroes including Nascimento and Shorter, she has collaborated with Q-Tip, Janelle Monae, Robert Glasper, Terri Lyne Carrington and many others. As a composer her credits include writing the libretto for the opera Iphigenia with Wayne Shorter, which premiered in 2021. She is also a philanthropist and advocate, and is currently working to create a BIPOC artist sanctuary in her hometown of Portland, OR.
Spalding has also just announced her first major tour since 2019 with dates scheduled throughout 2024, as well as a 12-night residency at the Blue Note in New York City in February and March of 2025. Nascimento and Spalding don’t currently plan on doing a tour to support the record; these performances feature Esperanza with her band. Tickets are on sale now, see below for the full itinerary.
For more information, visit Esperanza website.
(Information and photos provided by Tom Fletcher / Press Office)
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