With the cold and torrential rain pouring down on Montreal, it took a bit of courage to venture to the concert hall at the University of Montreal’s Faculty of Music. But it was well worth it: the radiant saxophone of Chilean Melissa Aldana awaited us, accompanied by a student Big Band that seemed to be firing on all cylinders. Rain? What rain?
Melissa Aldana has garnered much praise in recent years for the originality of her playing and the quality of her compositions. “She’s one of the best saxophonists on the planet,” João Lenhari, trumpeter, teacher, and musical director of the Big Band, told me during our interview. And by that, he meant regardless of gender.
Melissa usually performs in a sextet or quintet. Her only experience with a big band was a project with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band, inspired by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It was a version of this project that we were treated to at the Salle Claude Champagne.
João Lenhari stated it from the outset, in his French beautifully tinged with a Portuguese accent: reproducing these compositions by Melissa Aldana arranged by Jim McNeely was a serious and complex undertaking that required many rehearsals.
Overall, the concert was excellent. The kids did a fantastic job. These pieces, which are jazz with a subtle Latin influence, are indeed difficult to perform. But overall, everything flowed smoothly. The rhythm section was particularly impeccable, in my opinion as a layperson who listens to a lot of music.
What’s particularly wonderful about this kind of concert is the humility of the “star.” Melissa Aldana gave the students plenty of space for their solos, applauding and encouraging them. I don’t know if you find that in classical music. There was a particularly moving moment when tenor saxophonist Maude Gauthier and Melissa Aldana were in dialogue, responding to each other. I wondered how fast Maude’s heart was beating. It’s an incredible opportunity!
In short, it was a warm and musically excellent evening. The only slight drawback: at times, the Big Band somewhat overpowered Melissa’s saxophone, which often conveys very subtle emotions. Fortunately, she was able to showcase her full talent in an unaccompanied solo, where the breadth of her range and nuances was evident.
I therefore recommend that you listen to her latest album Echoes Of The Inner Prophet, to appreciate her talents as a saxophonist and composer.
On December 7, the Salle Claude Champagne will host saxophonist Bob Minzer, accompanied by the university’s alumni Big Band.
