Melissa Aldana: Live with Zurich Jazz Orchestra

0000: Grammy-nominated saxophonist Melissa Aldana joins the Zurich Jazz Orchestra for a bold programme of original compositions.

The Zurich Jazz Orchestra welcomes acclaimed Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz, for an exceptional concert recorded at Moods in Zurich. A Blue Note artist and Grammy nominee, Aldana has established herself on the international scene through a personal musical language that combines technical precision with expressive depth.

Born in Santiago into a family of saxophonists, Aldana developed her craft from an early age before moving to the United States to study at Berklee College of Music. Her career gained international recognition when she became the first female instrumentalist and the first South American musician to win the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Her album Visions (2019) further confirmed her artistic stature, earning critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination.

For this collaboration with the Zurich Jazz Orchestra, Aldana presents a programme composed entirely of her own works. The music unfolds through sophisticated big band arrangements, combining structural complexity with space for improvisation. Part of the repertoire has been arranged by Jim McNeely, renowned for his work with major international ensembles, while additional arrangements by Ed Partyka have been created specifically for the orchestra and its soloists.

Bringing together one of Europe’s leading jazz orchestras and a major figure of today’s jazz scene, this concert offers a compelling exploration of contemporary big band writing, driven by creativity, precision and a strong individual voice.

Genre Live Show
Recording location Moods, Zurich
Duration 1h40
Production year 2025
Musical style Jazz