Junjo

Junjo is the debut album by American bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding. It was released on 18 April 2006 on the Spanish label Ayva Music. The piano trio features pianist Aruán Ortiz, Francisco Mela on drums and then twenty-two year old Spalding on upright bass, and providing vocals –often wordless– on all but two tracks. Besides compositions by Jimmy Rowles, Egberto Gismonti and Chick Corea the trio plays originals. Michael G. Nastos from AllMusic calls Junjo "an exercise in joy and freedom", stating a "certainty of her concept and clarity of her vision ... an auspicious beginning."