Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana joins the Blue Note Records family with the release of '12 Stars', her debut album as a leader for the legendary label following her appearance on the acclaimed 2020 album by the collective Artemis. The Brooklyn-based tenor player from Santiago, Chile has garnered international recognition for her visionary work as a band leader, as well as her deeply meditative interpretation of language and vocabulary. '12 Stars' grapples with concepts of childrearing, familial forgiveness, acceptance, and self-love, and was inspired by her deep interest in tarot. The album was produced by guitarist Lage Lund, who also performs as part of a remarkable quintet with Sullivan Fortner on piano and Fender Rhodes, Kush Abadey on drums, and Pablo Menares on bass.