Singer Esperanza Spalding accepts the Best New Artist Award during the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
BOSTON (CBS) – When her name was announced on national television Sunday night, many people had never heard of Esperanza Spalding. That was not the case at Berklee College of Music, however, where students and faculty alike are celebrating the Grammy’s Best New Artist.
Up against diverse talent that included Justin Bieber Drake, Florence & the Machine and Mumford & Sons, the jazz musician who sowed her musical roots on Boylston Street took many by surprise – including herself.
Karson Tager, the co-host of “Karson and Kennedy in the Morning” on Mix 104.1 joined Lisa and Jonathan to talk about Spalding and the other Grammy surprises.
“I thought the nomination was incredibly far-fetched,” she said in a post-award interview. “I just thought it was a token of appreciation from my friends that are all members of NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciencse).”
Spalding – a singer and bass player – is the first jazz musician to be named Best New Artist.
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She attended Berklee on scholarship and graduated in 2005.


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