Melissa Aldana -- album and tour!

[marcwhy]

I'm a big Melissa Aldana fan; her new album is fantastic (on Blue Note, with Lage Lund), and has been getting some good press (great for her!). She's on tour in the US and Europe the next few months, and will likely have Lage or Charles Altura in her band, so check her out! I'm seeing her next week in my area -- very excited!

[mr. beaumont]

Just got into her this past year. Great stuff.

[marcwhy]

OK, made it to the show last night, and Wow!! Incredible! She has a few more US shows, then off to Europe (and then back and forth some more) -- highly recommended!

They mostly played tunes from the new album, and the whole band was on fire! Lage was with her, so that was a treat, since I've never seen him before! [Gearheads: he had a Kemper on the floor, and some other large device with lots of knobs; just played through the Fender amp that was at the university.] Got to say Hi to the whole band afterwards, which is always fun! Sat next to an older cat who was an actual jazz fan, not a player -- so they do exist?! Wonderful evening!

[2bornot2bop]

Nice ballad, tastefully done. But let’s not go overboard because she’s new. However I support anyone who helps to keep jazz alive.

[marcwhy]

Great tune, thanks, 2b!

But "new?" Her first album was about 12 years ago, and she won the Monk competition in 2013, followed by her release on Concord! She's young, but she's been around..

[marcwhy]

Hey, this is streaming right now!

[Sam Sherry]

Tremendous player -- I've enjoyed her work over the past decade or so, and finally got to see her at Newport JF last year.

But let’s not go overboard because she’s new.

Respect as always, but . . .

Aldana recorded her first album, Free Fall,^[2] released on Greg Osby's Inner Circle Music imprint, in 2010.^[3][1] . . . In 2013, aged 24, she was the first female musician and the first South American to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition

I don't love every Monk / Hancock Prize winner equally but . . . wait for it . . . there are no losers in the bunch!

[cmajor9]

+ 1

I had not heard of Aldana, but this thread got me listening to her album Free Fall, which I find very impressive, both for the musicianship and the compositions. I look forward to exploring more of her music!

[Marinero]

As a former saxophonist/flutist for over 20 years, I will abstain from any technical/artistic comments. However, she must be a deep thinker if she believes in Tarot Cards and Numerology. And, she won the Monk/Hancock Prize . . . What else could a musician need?
Marinero

[jameslovestal]

As a former saxophonist/flutist for over 20 years, I will abstain from any technical/artistic comments. However, she must be a deep thinker if she believes in Tarot Cards and Numerology. And, she won the Monk/Hancock Prize . . . What else could a musician need?
Marinero

You no longer play the sax or flute?

[Marinero]

You no longer play the sax or flute?

Hi, J,
The last time I touched my sax or flute (Selmer Mark VI and Gemeinhardt flute) was about a year ago to check the pads and springs and wipe them down. However, I listen to tenor sax recordings more than any other instrument despite the fact I've been playing CG since '92 and recently returned to my '66 Gibson ES125TC about two years ago. Saxophone was/is an addiction, for me, that was very difficult to leave . . . much like an old lover that you'll never forget. However, there are more jobs for solo guitar and better pay(prior to Covid). But, that's why I never sold it.
Marinero

[Jonah]

she's good. Just good beyond whatever... best luck and prominance to her

[uschmidtguitar]

One of my favorite quartets today. Highly recommended.