ESPERANZA SPALDING TO HOST FIND THE BEAT

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Bassist, Esperanza Spalding, Female Vocalist, Jazz

A NEW CPB/PBS DIVERSITY AND INNOVATION FUND PROGRAM

The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) are pleased to announce that bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding, in response to the Diversity and Innovation Fund Request for Proposals, has been asked to host Find The Beat, a progressive new television show on PBS.

Find The Beat, a new program that promotes diversity, features Spalding joining with a group, a band or solo musician to explore the roots of their music. Their journeys take them to see authentic performers, explore cultural connections and investigate musical history.

PBS and the CPB issued a request for proposals for a new television show to be sponsored by their Diversity and Innovation Fund. The DI Fund, “seeks to diversify the National Program Service by attracting younger and more racially and ethnically diverse viewers and visitors.” More than 200 submissions were received in response to the request for proposals, from which only 16 were chosen by their editorial staff to advance to panel review.

Anthony Branker & Ascent -][- “Dance Music” [Origin Records]

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Anthony Branker, Jazz, Tia Fuller

Anthony Branker & Ascent - Dance Music

Anthony Branker & Ascent -][- “Dance Music” – [Origin Records, 2010]

“With a unique combination of depth and accessibility, Branker is able to put forth a jazz perspective steeped in soulful optimism.” – All About Jazz

Inspired by the desire to infuse his compositions with the spirit and sensibility of dance, Anthony Branker here gathers an A-list of modern jazz masters and applies his own brand of fire and infectious rhythm to a set of ten new compositions, several featuring vocalist Kadri Voorand. With the frontline of saxophonists Tia Fuller and Ralph Bowen, Clifford Adams Jr. on trombone, along with the rhythm section of Jonny King, Kenny Davis and Adam Cruz, Branker creates a powerful and energizing recording, further strengthening the claim made by All About Jazz that “Branker is crafting some of today’s finest compositions.