#OurLand: Esperanza Spalding on the music of parks

By Trust for Public Land
Published January 8, 2015

#OurLand: Esperanza Spalding on the music of parks

The tempo is rising for Esperanza Spalding.

In the decade since she became a Trust for Public Land supporter, she’s released a top-ten album, performed for the president, and won four Grammy Awards—including Best New Artist. Her infusion of jazz with everything from gospel and funk to Portuguese ballads has hit the sweet spot between critical acclaim and popular appeal.

A longtime advocate for city parks, Esperanza turns to the natural world as a source of inspiration for the artful, buoyant compositions that have brought her success—and as a place of respite from the pressure that comes with it. She met us at her favorite spot in New York City’s Prospect Park to share why these green retreats are more important to her now than ever.

Read the full interview in Land&People magazine.

You don’t need a Grammy on the shelf to add your voice to the #OurLand movement. Help The Trust for Public Land make the case for parks and open space around the country: tell us why nature matters to you at tpl.org/ourland.

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