Esperanza Spalding, a 23-year-old bassist, vocalist and composer from Portland, Ore., is so wildly talented that when her publicity material announces that she "might well be the hope for the future of jazz and instrumental music," it seems like a reasonable proposition.

By Jonathan Takiff, Philadelphia Daily News Jun. 6--The fearless Esperanza Spalding likes a good challenge. And she's up for one here tomorrow afternoon.