Melissa Aldana Quartet

Sydney International Women’s Jazz Fest

Presented by SIMA

Melissa Aldana Quartet

Opening performance by Jo Lawry & Dan Tepfer

“With 12 Stars, Aldana puts all of her colourful sonic and emotional textures on display “ – ALL MUSIC

Melissa Aldana established herself as a creative force to be reckoned with from an early age. She was born in Santiago, Chile, and grew up in a musical family as a third-generation saxophonist.

Aldana was the first female instrumentalist to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, surpassing her father who was a semi-finalist in 1991.

Her latest contemplative and emotive album 12 Stars is powerful statement from the signature saxophonist and her highly talented band.

Inspired by the arcs and nuances of tarot, 12 Stars features a series of tributes to moments of challenge and triumph in Aldana’s New York life. It firmly captures her “bold harmonies and attention-grabbing solos” – Jazzwise

She’s a story-teller and an improvisor with a deeply meditative interpretation of jazz language and vocabulary.

• Melissa Aldana | Tenor Saxophone

• Kush Abadey | Drums

• Lage Lund | Guitar

• Pablo Menares | Bass

Special guest opening performance from Jo Lawry & Dan Tepfer, which is sure to be rich with playfulness, virtuosity, deep connection and surprises.

• Jo Lawry | Vocals

• Dan Tepfer | Piano

SIMA would like to thank Create NSW, Australia Council, The City of Sydney and the Anthony and Sharon Lee Foundation for their generous funding towards the Jazz: NOW Winter program.