Esperanza Spalding's "On the Sunny Side of the Street"
Ms. Spalding, Basking in the Glow
On the Sunny Side of the Street is more than just a jazz standard... more than just a litmus test for groove. It's a philosophy for life. Now, I'm the last to deny the allure and value of shady side... I've definitely spent (and spend) time there. After all, I am a recognized melancholic and wouldn't have it any other way. But, when I see the sun, I run towards it, wrap myself in its warmth and marinate as long as possible. Because, along with being a melancholic, I'm also a "sunny sider".
Sunny Sider
(adj)
A complex and sensitive person who chooses the warmth of "the sunny side" (read happiness or an actual spot of sun) when they can, knowing and understanding its value based on the amount of time they've spent in the darkness.
You can't have light without darkness...
This version of Sunny Side is performed with grace, funk and funny by Grammy Award winning bassist and obvious "sunny sider" Esperanza Spalding. Spalding, who started giging at 15, was inspired to play at the prodigious age of 5 by non other than cellist Yo-Yo Ma on an episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. You can tell she's a "sunny sider" by her smirk, that witty twinkle in her eye and, somehow, the depth and versatility of her voice. I dunno, maybe it takes one to know one...
One thing is for sure, her ability to engage in cool stage banter while standing before President Barack Obama is impressive.
Oh stop reading and just take this in....👇🏼.
❤
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