Society for the Performing Arts (SPA), bringing the world’s best to Houston, presents Ritmo Latino, featuring the Houston debut of bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding at a FREE concert on Friday, May 29 at 8 p.m. at Miller Outdoor Theatre located in Hermann Park.
Blessed with uncanny instrumental chops on the acoustical bass, a soaring multi-lingual voice that is part angel and part siren, and a natural beauty that borders on hypnotic, the 24-year-old prodigy-turned-pro weaves together the best of the traditional and the progressive.
A native of Portland, Ore., Spalding was raised in a multi-lingual household and neighborhood, and became inspired to pursue music at the age of 4 after watching classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma perform on an episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”“That was when I realized that I wanted to do something musical,” Spalding said. “It was definitely the thing that hipped me to the whole idea of music as a creative pursuit.
”She has worked with several notable artists, including pianist Michel Camilo, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist Pat Metheny, singer Patti Austin and saxophonists Donald Harrison and Joe Lovano. Spalding has appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and has been selected as one of the faces of Banana Republic’s national spring and summer ad campaigns.
Miller Outdoor Theatre, where performances are always FREE, has entertained and delighted several generations of Houstonians. Pack a picnic basket, a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the performance from
the hill, or sit in the brand new seats under the canopy.
Approximately 1100 new seats have just been installed under the canopy. All performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre are FREE of CHARGE; however, tickets for assigned seating under the canopy are available at the Miller Theatre Box Office on a first-come first-serve basis between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the day of the performance. Please only four (4) tickets per person. Remaining tickets are given out one hour before the performance starts.