Melissa Aldana - Sesc Jazz: Melissa Aldana Quartet (Ao Vivo) (2018)

Still in her 20’s, Chilean saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana has had a remarkably rapid evolution from 6-year-old sax prodigy to, “bold new talent,” (NPR) and ”…one of the more exciting young tenor saxophonists today.” (New York Times) As a child, Aldana studied with her renowned saxophonist father Marcos Aldana. In 2007 she moved to Boston to enroll at Berklee College of Music. In 2013 she became the first female instrumentalist and the first South American ever to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. She is also a recipient of the Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center and a double recipient of the Altazor Award, Chile’s prestigious national arts prize. Melissa has released four recordings as a leader, most recently, “Back Home.” She recently completed and performed “Visions For Frida Kahlo,” a six part suite for Septet, as part of Jazz Gallery NYC commission project. In addition to frequent educational residencies, Melissa performs around the world with her Quartet as well as with The Monterey Festival Allstars and the Allstar group Artemis, with Renee Rosnes and Cecile McLorin Savant. Other recent performances include Detroit Jazz Fest, International Jazz Day Hong Kong, DC Jazz Fest, Jazz St. Louis, Rochester Jazz Fest, Caramoor Festival, and Newport Jazz Festival.