esperanza spalding, the recipient of The University of Texas at Dallas’ 2021 Richard Brettell Award in the Arts, recently shared her philosophies about music and life as she met with students, administrators and the public on campus.
Established in 2016 with a gift from Margaret McDermott, the Brettell Award recognizes the work of individuals in visual arts, music, literature, performance or architecture/design. spalding, who prefers her name be spelled in lowercase, is the third person to receive the biennial award since its inception.
“I’m really grateful. I imagine that the people on the committee who chose me had researched the kind of works that I’m involved in and felt that what I’m intending to do now in my creative practice is resonant with what Rick Brettell valued. And that’s good company,” said spalding, a jazz bassist, singer, songwriter and composer.
Called “the 21st century’s jazz genius” by National Public Radio, she has won four Grammys, including best new artist in 2011. She was the first jazz artist to win that award, beating fellow nominees Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence and the Machine, and Mumford & Sons. Her latest album, “Songwrights Apothecary Lab,” is nominated for a 2022 Grammy for best jazz vocal album.
During her three-day Dallas residency in early March, spalding officially received the Brettell Award at a dinner at the Crow Museum of Asian Art of The University of Texas at Dallas. She also performed a concert, presented by the Dallas Symphony, in Annette Strauss Square in the Dallas Arts District.
The highlight for many on the UT Dallas campus was the opportunity to meet and speak with spalding in person. Among her campus stops was a session at the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College, where students spent an hour with the artist, sharing their passions and asking questions.
“I definitely love the energy of students. I love that willingness to learn,” she said. “Their energy is so potent, creative and flexible.”
At a public lecture and discussion, spalding spoke about creativity and improvisation, stressing the importance of being aware of one’s own experiences.
“One thing I often notice among musicians is a lack of listening to oneself — not identifying what you bring into the space or the impact that it has,” she said. “That’s as integral to being a good improviser as listening to others.”
The Brettell Award includes a $150,000 prize, which spalding intends to use toward her vision of an artist retreat that she calls the City Sanctuary.
“I’m really grateful. I imagine that the people on the committee who chose me had researched the kind of works that I’m involved in and felt that what I’m intending to do now in my creative practice is resonant with what Rick Brettell valued. And that’s good company.”
esperanza spalding, recipient of the 2021 Richard Brettell Award in the Arts
She plans to turn the three-quarter-acre site into a multifaceted creative space catering to artists of color. Plans for the sanctuary include a cafe, an “eco-poetics reading room,” gardens and a basement recording studio. The sanctuary would host long-term artists-in-residence.
The property in her hometown of Portland, Oregon, has already been purchased, but she said the site needs significant renovation.
“I didn’t know how I was going to remodel the property, and I didn’t how a lot of things were going to happen. This award landed at just the right moment,” she said.
Dr. Nils Roemer, interim dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and the School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication, said spalding’s visit was a rare opportunity for students and the campus community to meet and learn from such a trailblazing artist.
“esperanza is known for her creativity and out-of-the box thinking, and that’s what she brought to our campus,” said Roemer, who also directs the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies and is the Stan and Barbara Rabin Distinguished Professor in Holocaust Studies. “Her impact here will be remembered for some time.”