"Esperanza Spalding: New Songs" @ 92ndY - "Emily What?"

Last night @ the 92ndY, there was a packed house to hear the Grammy winning jazz composer, musician & vocalist, Esperanza Spalding.  David Letterman called Spalding, "the coolest guest he ever had on the show."  Her music & style exude coolness.  Her Afro inspired Angela Davis' hairstyle has become a trademark.  Known for her soulful, Brazilian, pastiche of jazz & stirring lyrics, Spalding has produced a prolific amount of work for someone her age (b. 1984.)  Begninng at age 5, Spalding first studied violin, & an assortment of winds, finding her voice & calling for music by 15.  She studied at Berkeley where she became a faculty member at 22.  As a jazz veteran @ 29, Spalding has broadened her style and her material.  Band member, Matthew Stevens on guitar, came on stage moments prior to the program to say that Ms. Spalding was unable to attend but had sent a talented guest artist in her place, Emily What.   Say WHAT?!?  Emily What came bobbing & strutting onto the stage while band members performed; dynamic drummer, Karriem Riggins, Corey King on trombonie & vocals, Nadia Washington guitar & vocals.  Emily What was a stunning  guitarist, with long straight hair & oversized lime green eyeglasses.  She resembled a prelude to a children's concert.  Emily engaged the audience calling "When I say Emily you say - What," adding to the sophomoric tone on set.  The performance itself was cool, upbeat jazz with soulful vocals from Emily whose beautiful voice had a broad range.  Unfortunately,  the songs blended into one another with inaudible lyrics.  Emily paused to chant "Funk the Fear," again looking towards the crowd for an echo.  After a set, shy of an hour, Emily came back onstage for 1 encore.  "The music performed tonight was all original except for the song we're going to play for you now." The concert was very entertaining.  The mystery woman Emily What, was indeed Esperanza sporting a new do along with original new recordings a strand away from her signature style.   That is what truly artists do, they keep reinventing themselves and their art.  Say What?