Feb 10

Feb 10 Aldana

Chicago, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

Chilean-born Melissa Aldana brought three fellow musicians to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts tonight. Like Ptolemy, the Roman astronomer and mathematician, Aldana decided to delve into the mysteries found in the arrangement and motion of the planets and stars. It is difficult to say for sure how long she spent in the heavenly realm, but she began with a selection from her new Blue Note album entitled 12 Stars. Given the consistency of the sound throughout her entire performance, I assume many of the evening’s selections came from that album, which she indicated reflected her interest in the stars. Unfortunately, she made no further mention of song titles until the final selection, which was a lullaby.

No problem, however. What stood out was the consistency of the compositions, as well as Aldana’s sublime tonality. No honking, shouting, or sheets of notes—not that is necessarily bad. Just a rich, sonorous, and deep tone coming from her saxophone throughout the 105-minute set.

Aldana deserves mucho kudos for her generosity of her spirit. She has already been nominated twice for Grammy Awards, including Best Improvised Jazz Solo Performance in 2023, as well as winning the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone competition in 2013. Tonight, she was on top of the bill. Nevertheless, she treated the other three musicians on stage as co-equals. Each of the others soloed, and on several occasions, Aldana stepped off to the side, allowing the trio extended opportunities to spin their collective web.

I had seen pianist Gadi Lehavi on several prior occasions, including one where he was a last minute substitution in Anat’s Cohen’s band. I am always pleased when he shows up with his delicate, but intricate touch. The surprise of the evening, however, was Kush Abadey on drums. Normally, when I use an electronic shutter, several images include slightly bent or warped drum sticks. That look results from what photographer’s call rolling shutter. That did not happen tonight, largely because Abadey’s strokes were deliberately gentle. Moreover, he used brushes, as well as rubbing his cymbals and drum heads with his drum sticks rather than striking them. His work nicely complemented Aldana’s efforts, as well as mixing well with Menares and Lehavi.

Overall, the Friday-night audience was treated to an engaging evening of music. Their fate was in the stars. Atropos kept spinning, while evil Clotho was kept at bay. Aldana and company functioned as their guardians while the audience contemplated the heavens above.

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