She Beat The Bieber

And Not Just In The Hair Dept

26-year-old Esperanza Spalding was at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards, and took the prize many thought destined for teen phenom Justin Bieber or hip-hop artist Drake.

Best New Artist on Walking Bass Audio Embed: BBC, PRI & WBUR's Here & Now 2/15/11, Host: Robin Young.

Bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding conceived of her ensemble "Chamber Music Society" as an intimate experience, a close musical exchange between a small group of friends. If it was intimacy she wanted, she got her wish: Performing a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR.