2026 Longhorn Jazz Festival

About the Artists

Melissa Aldana

Melissa Aldana is an internationally acclaimed tenor saxophonist, composer, and bandleader whose work reflects a deep engagement with the jazz tradition alongside a forward-looking artistic voice. Born in Santiago, Chile, Aldana began playing saxophone at age six under the guidance of her father, saxophonist Marcos Aldana. She later moved to the United States to study at Berklee College of Music, where she developed a reputation as one of the most compelling young improvisers of her generation. In 2013, Aldana gained international recognition when she won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition (now the Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Competition), becoming the first female instrumentalist and the first South American musician to receive the honor. Since then she has established herself as a major voice on the tenor saxophone, releasing a series of critically acclaimed recordings including Back Home, Visions, 12 Stars, and Echoes of the Inner Prophet. Aldana’s music blends lyricism, harmonic depth, and narrative composition, often drawing inspiration from literature, visual art, and personal reflection. Now based in New York City, she performs extensively around the world with her quartet and continues to expand the expressive possibilities of the tenor saxophone in contemporary jazz.

Michael Sailors

Mike Sailors is a critically acclaimed trumpeter, valve trombonist and arranger who’s toured the world appearing at the most celebrated festivals in the world including The Tokyo Blue Note Jazz Festival, The Newport Jazz Festival, The EFG London Jazz Festival, The Montreal Jazz Festival, The Detroit Jazz Festival and the Ravinia Music Festival, to name a few. Sailors has received commissions and composed/arranged for Mack Avenue Records, Decca Records, Dewey Redman, Terrell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Jimmy Cobb, Lady Gaga, Sleep No More and many other organizations, jazz greats, entertainers and Broadway shows. He is a copyist for the Jazz at Lincoln Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis, and former copyist for The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra led by Arturo O’Farrill.  Sailors leads The Mike Sailors Sextet and Nonet, The Higher Calling Orchestra, co-leads The New Alchemy Jazz Orchestra, and is a member of the GRAMMY nominated Multiverse Big Band, led by Bobby Sanabria while also maintaining a highly active freelance schedule locally and nationally.

 Diego Rivera

A world-class musician, composer, arranger and educator, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Chicano background and heritage.  Since 1999 he has performed at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble, Rivera has performed with The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, and Kurt Elling. Rivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader for Posi-Tone records. He also has several other credits to his name as a recording artist, composer and arranger on the Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. A passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: The Christian McBride Big Band, Birdland Big Band, and The Count Basie Orchestra.

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Musicians

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Saxophone
Clayton Bristol, tenor sax
Ben Goodman, tenor sax
Kole Aitala, tenor sax
Ripley Swingle, tenor sax
Shaym Thandullu, baritone sax

Trumpet
Joey Risberg, trumpet I
Brady Lang, trumpet II
Solomon Tejada, trumpet III
Devin Merchant, trumpet IV

Trombone
Austin Dalbey, trombone I
Michael Nowell, trombone II
Matthew Puente, trombone III

Rhythm
David Coker, guitar
Ori Moore, piano
Ryan Townsend, piano
Chelsea DeRoach, acoustic bass
Oscar Bukowitz, acoustic bass
Jaylon Alley, drums & cymbals
Harrison Murphy, drums & cymbals
 

JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Saxophone
James Aspan-Martin, tenor sax I
Matthew Chavez, alto sax II
Eli Wyatt, tenor sax I
Dashiell Haubrich, tenor sax II
Andrew Stine, baritone sax

Trumpet
Jonah Springs, trumpet I
Isaac Pittenger, trumpet II
Brett Cole, trumpet III
Arianna Shepard, trumpet IV

Trombone
Judah Guerra, trombone I
Graham Simpler, trombone II
Grayson Cliff, trombone III
Wade King, trombone IV

Rhythm Section
Andy Flores, guitar
Joseph Heranandez, piano
Joao Camargo, piano
Aidan Berg, bass
Miguel Rodriguez, bass
Matías Soto, drums
Zechariah Bocchetto, drums
Harrison Murphy, drums
Genesis Staple, voice

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