Melissa Aldana
Visions: For Frida Kahlo
Motéma Music

Melissa Aldana's new album, "Visions: For Frida Kahlo," is inspired and Influenced by the life and works of the great artist Frida Kahlo. “Frida to me is an artist that embraces who she is through her art. She talks about ugliness, beauty, being a female, religion, politics, love affairs, sexuality, but mostly, accepting herself as an individual. This is a big part of how she engendered me to write this music." Kahlo began to emerge as a pivotal figure in Aldana’s work and quest for an honest representation of self. Aldana elaborates that like Kahlo's works, "this album became a path for my own identity and expression. My hope is that this contribution is my first of many that will continue advancing my concepts and convictions.” The inspiration led to this suite that was commissioned by The Jazz Gallery in New York and premiered there in June 2018. She composed all but two of the selections and two of them: "Visions" and "La Madrina" were composed for the Jazz Gallery Residency.

Aldana has been playing saxophone since a child, originally alto and then tenor after listening to Sonny Rollins. She won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in 21 at the age of 24, the first woman and South American to win this competition. Aldana had already been attracting notice with her Crash trio, and since the Competition, her reputation has continued to grow. Her present quintet includes her on tenor saxophone, Sam Harris on piano, Pablo Menares on bass, Tommy Crane on drums, and Joel Ross on vibraphone.

The title track, with moments of "frantic movement interspersed with order and structure frantic," is a remarkable band performance. Her dynamic, probing tenor sax employs the full range of the saxophone and complimented by her exceptional band. This selection sets the tone for an outstanding recording. Ross, one of the most acclaimed young vibraphonists, helps set the tone on the second selection "Acceptance." On this track, Harris shows that he is a pianist with a sure touch. Harris' solo here displays his fecund improvising mind while the rhythm duo maintains a swirling pulse. "La Madrina," inspired by Kahlo's concept of 'Godmother,' has a more reflective quality with segments of improvisation mixed with tightly arranged sections.

Other strong selections include a wonderful rendition of the standard "Never Let Me Go" that opens with a couple of choruses of solo saxophone before the band joins in. Harris takes an understated solo with a hint of stride. Ross, along with Aldana, is brilliant on "El Castillo de Velenje," with its pensive mood. It is a closing track by Melissa Aldana who on this enthralling album establishes herself as one of the significant tenor saxophonists, a notable composer, and leader of a terrific band.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the September-October 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 386). Here is a video of Melissa Aldana Quartet with Joel Ross at the 2019 Winter NYC Jazz Festival.