“Melissa Aldana Quartet BIM Amsterdam 17 april 2022 – Melissa Aldana” by dirkneven1966 is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
Chilean Tenor Saxophonist • Born December 3rd, 1988 • Jazz
Fast Facts
- Melissa Aldana was born in Santiago, Chile in 1988.
- Her father is famous saxophonist Marcos Aldana.
- Began her musical journey on the alto saxophone at the age of six, but switched to the tenor saxophone after hearing Sonny Rollins records.
- Aldana began to make a name for herself by performing in Santiago jazz clubs and performing at the Panama Jazz Festival alongside pianist Danilo Pérez.
- Success in Santiago, Chile caused her to gain interest in the United States of America, leading to her admission into the Berklee College of Music in 2009.
- At the age of 24, Aldana became the first female musician as well as the first South American women to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, providing her with a recording contract with Concord Records.
- Aldana currently performs both solo and with her group, Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio, which includes Cuban drummer Francisco Mela and Chilean bassist Pablo Menares.
“Embracing everything I hear, everything I play — even mistakes — is more meaningful than perfection.” – Melissa Aldana
Musician of the Month Project 
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