The New Yorker's Best-Selling Album

Esperanza Spalding, Marcos Valle, Patrick Paige II and Tom Misch discuss why playing music is dangerous, the sound of your first love, why drinking on stage is a bad idea, first takes v lots of practice, and recording an orchestra in one take.

Grammy-winning bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding has performed at the White House for Barack and Michelle Obama’s Stevie Wonder tribute, and after a jam session with Prince, was invited to perform for his BET Lifetime Achievement Award tribute in 2010. She’s since released six studio albums, and worked with the likes of Janelle Monae, Bruno Mars and Tony Visconti. Joining her is Marcos Valle, who has spent the last 50 years fusing classical, Brazilian popular music and jazz, and is regarded as one of the most influential musicians in Brazil’s history. Tom Misch is a London-based producer, songwriter and guitarist who has become one of the most distinctive voices in the UK contemporary jazz scene, and one of its most in demand producers. Patrick Paige II is best known for his funky basslines in LA funk/R&B band The Internet. They have released four critically acclaimed albums, including the Grammy-nominated Ego Death in 2015, and collaborated with the likes of Tyler the Creator, Janelle Monáe and Kaytranada.