Esperanza Spalding Sings At Oscars' In Memoriam Tribute

Though most of the tears shed at the Oscars come from victors accepting their trophies, the "In Memoriam" segment is always the saddest of the evening, when the members of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences who died during the past year are remembered.

This year the tribute honored recently deceased stars Jane Russell, Sidney Lumet, Farley Granger, and — of course — Whitney Houston and Elizabeth Taylor, among others. It was set to the beautiful singing voice of Grammy-winner Esperanza Spalding, backed by the Southern California Children's Choir. Spalding sang Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" while black-and-white photographs of the deceased Hollywood figures filled the screen.

Apple executive Steve Jobs was also honored at the "In Memoriam" segment for his lesser-known work co-founding Pixar Animation Studios and producing Pixar's first film, Toy Story, directed by John Lasseter, in 1995.

Spalding will follow up her previous album, Chamber Music Society, with the upcoming Radio Music Society, slated for release in March.

In the meantime, you can hear Spalding's touching tribute here:

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