Four-time Grammy winner and jazz bassist, singer, songwriter and composer Esperanza Spalding has been selected to receive the 2021 Richard Brettell Award in the Arts at The University of Texas at Dallas. Established in 2016 with a gift from Margaret McDermott, the Brettell Award recognizes the work of individuals in visual arts, music, literature, performance or architecture/design. As part of her Dallas visit, Spalding will join the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in a special concert next March. Spalding’s latest album, “Songwrights Apothecary Lab,” recently was nominated for a 2022 Grammy award for best jazz vocal album. Our students are in for a treat when they get to meet her next spring.”The 2021 Brettell Award is the first one to be given since the death of its namesake in July 2020.