Virtuoso Esperanza Spalding Expands Her Sound With ‘12 Little Spells’

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes spoke with bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding about her new album “12 Little Spells,” her fascination with the number 12 and her creative inspiration.

Summer Evans / WABE

Esperanza Spalding won a Grammy for best new artist in 2011. But the virtuoso bassist, singer and composer was by no means “new” to the art form.

She began seriously performing at age 5, and her career has led to the White House —  playing several times for the Obamas. Spalding also performed in Sweden when former President Barack Obama received his Nobel Peace Prize.

Spalding recently released her seventh album, “12 Little Spells,” over the course of 12 days and followed it with a 12-city tour, ending on Dec. 12. She relates her fascination with the number back to — what else? — music.