Melissa Aldana 

Press Reviews
"Visions, the fifth effort from Melissa Aldana, is the most ambitious work to date by the 2013 Monk Saxophone Competition winner, a further excursion into Frida Kahlo-inspired compositions that began with a residency commission from The Jazz Gallery. Aldana’s band is a quintet of vibraphonist Joel Ross, pianist Sam Harris, bassist Pablo Menares and drummer Tommy Crane. The inclusion of chordal instruments in contrast to her previous pianoless trio outings serves Aldana’s distinctive compositional voice, one marked by consummate harmonic acuity."-Russ Musto, The New York City Jazz Record
"Each album by tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, going back almost a decade, has been stronger than the last. Her forthcoming effort,
Visions, will be no exception: it’s a smart, contemporary statement coming from a place of personal reflection. Created through a Jazz
Gallery commission and inspired by the art and example of Frida Kahlo, it finds Aldana marshaling a cohort of her peers: pianist Sam Harris, vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Pablo Menares and drummer Tommy Crane."-Nate Chinen, WBGO - Take Five
"Now with Visions, the Santiago native delivers with passionate intensity on pieces inspired by and dedicated to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Originally commissioned by New York’s The Jazz Gallery as part of its residency program for emerging artists, Aldana’s suite 'Visions: For Frida Kahlo' connects her work to the legacy of Latina artists who have come before her...Another solid outing from the rising star."-Bill Milkowski, Paste Magazine - 12 Women Influencing the Future of Jazz
"In the span of a few short years, Melissa Aldana has gone from a saxophonist on the rise to a bandleader and musician at the top of her game...With her latest album, Visions, she presents a fuller portrait of her artistic worldview, mining her own Latina heritage and the legacy of Latina artists for inspiration. The album — which also features Sam Harris on piano, Pablo Menares on bass, Tommy Crane on drums and Joel Ross on vibraphone — will be released on Motéma Music on May 24. We’re honored to premiere the track 'La Madrina'"
-Brian Zimmerman, Jazziz Magazine
"... such a monumental statement... Aldana and Ross' ferocious exploration of the song's theme that displays the deft musicality Visions showcases over 12 cuts." - Dave Cantor, DownBeat Magazine"
"JazzTimes is honored to present the premiere of "Elsewhere" by Melissa Aldana, taken from the saxophonist's upcoming album Visions, due out May 24 on Motéma Music." - Mac Randall, JazzTimes Magazine
“...cultured, emotionally weighted, purposeful.”— Boston Globe
“.. one of the more exciting young tenor saxophonists today”— New York Times
“... savvy subversions to jazz’s modern mainstream”— JazzTimes Magazine
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