Melissa Aldana Quartet

A fascinating paradox defines Echoes Of The Inner Prophet, Melissa Aldanas 2024 follow-up to her acclaimed Blue Note Records debut as a leader, 2022s 12 Stars. As the GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist and composer explains, her new album reflects her personal journey, with an especially introspective point of view. The inner prophet is my own self, now older, who has the knowledge and the intuition and the truth about what my path should be.

So its this idea of connecting with that inner prophet, she continues, which reveals things about myself, including those things I dont like.

At the same time, this deeply intimate, searching project is a celebration of collaboration and community. It documents the evolution of her quintet Lage Lund, guitar and effects; Fabian Almazan, piano and effects; Pablo Menares, bass; Kush Abadey, drums capturing the collective insight theyve garnered after extensive touring and travel, and arguing for their place among the most incisive working groups in jazz today.