Birthday wishes to Grammy winning singer-bassist Esperanza Spalding who celebrates today (October 18).  Esperanza grew up in Portland, Oregon and began playing the violin when she was five.  She says she was inspired to pursue her interest in music after watching cellist Yo-Yo Ma perform on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood when she was four.  She also played the oboe and clarinet before discovering the bass in high school.  Esperanza studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston where she was encouraged by guitarist Pat Metheny to stick with her musical path.  Her debut album, Junjo, was released in 2006 followed by Esperanza in 2008.  In 2011 she won the Best New Artist award at the 53rd Grammy Awards, making her the first jazz artist to ever win that award.  Esperanza is currently on tour in support of her latest album, Radio Music Society, with her next show scheduled in Atlanta, GA on October 19.

Beyoncé confirmed on her website yesterday that she'll be performing for the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show at the New Orleans Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013.  The singer posted this picture via Tumblr with the caption 'Countdown to Touchdown.'  The 16-time Grammy winner sang the national anthem at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 in her hometown of Houston when the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers.  Beyoncé's next appearance will be at Alicia Keys' Black Ball fundraising event taking place at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on November 1.