Melissa Aldana’s Blindfold Test, published by DownBeat, isn’t just a showcase of impeccable musical taste; it’s a fascinating glimpse into the lineage of jazz and the pressures of maintaining authenticity in a rapidly changing industry. The choices Aldana highlights – from Billy Hart to Michael Brecker – reveal a deep respect for the giants while subtly positioning herself within that tradition. It’s a carefully curated statement, and in the current climate, those statements matter more than ever.
- Aldana’s emphasis on mentorship and collaboration (Zenón inviting her to play) underscores the importance of community in jazz.
- Her reverence for figures like Joe Henderson speaks to a commitment to harmonic complexity and emotional depth, qualities often sidelined in more commercial jazz.
- The inclusion of contemporary artists like Nicole Glover and Zoh Amba signals Aldana’s engagement with the future of the genre.
The fact that this test took place *live* at NYU is significant. It’s a deliberate move to connect with the next generation of musicians and fans, bypassing the often-sterile filter of social media. Aldana isn’t just performing; she’s teaching, and that carries weight. Her anecdote about nearly declining Miguel Zenón’s invitation is particularly telling. It’s a vulnerability rarely seen in artist profiles, and it humanizes her in a way that carefully crafted press releases never could.
The broader context here is the ongoing struggle for jazz to maintain relevance in a pop-dominated landscape. Aldana’s album, Filin, with its focus on Central and South American ballads, is a conscious effort to broaden the genre’s appeal without sacrificing its artistic integrity. This Blindfold Test serves as a supporting piece of that strategy, demonstrating her deep understanding of jazz history and her commitment to pushing its boundaries. The timing, coinciding with the news of Gordon Goodwin’s passing and the Kennedy Center renaming controversy, also subtly positions Aldana as a voice of artistic integrity in a moment of cultural upheaval.
Expect to see Aldana leveraging this increased visibility. A tour supporting Filin is almost guaranteed, and a potential collaboration with Miguel Zenón feels increasingly likely. More importantly, this test establishes her as a thought leader, someone who can speak intelligently and passionately about the art form. That’s a valuable asset in an industry increasingly driven by personality and narrative.
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