“Aldana…embodies a new sense of possibility and direction in jazz.” – The Washington Post

Recently seen and heard with Cécile McLorin Salvant in WPA’s “Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour” concert, Chilean-born tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana has a storybook résumé: A saxist since age six, she was playing pro gigs as a teenager when she found an early booster in pianist Danilo Pérez, appearing May 16 at Sixth & I. She went on to study at Berklee with the likes of Joe Lovano and Greg Osby and then, at age 24, became the first woman to win first prize in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Her fifth CD, Visions, is inspired by the life of Frida Kahlo and brimms with Aldana’s trademark harmonic sophistication and deftly spun solos.

This performance is made possible through the generous support of Susan S. Angell. Washington Performing Arts performances at Sixth & I are made possible in part through the generous support of the Galena-Yorktown Foundation.