aja monet

Soulful Jazz poetry | Oslojazz 2024

aja monet is a Grammy-nominated artist, poet, and activist from New York, or "a surrealist blues poet" as she is known as, who combines elements of spiritual jazz and slam poetry with gravity and a blazing social commitment. She uses music and poetry to depict the society around her, following a long tradition and heritage from artists such as Audre Lorde, The Last Poets, and Gil Scott-Heron.

The critically acclaimed debut album when the poems do what they do received significant attention when it was released in 2023, with praise from outlets such as Pitchfork and NPR. The album showcases her razor-sharp communication skills. The album's themes occasionally center around politics and the struggle for liberation, love, and the inexhaustible pursuit of joy in everyday life. The songs on the album alternate between being gently insistent and fluid, and outright groovy. Some evoke the virtuosity and chaos of the jazz club, while others function more like a healing balm while rushing through a hectic cityscape.

monet has a razor-sharp and soulful band behind her, adding multiple layers and weight to her thought-provoking messages and stories.

aja monet – vocals, Peter Somuah – trumpet, Enzo Carniel – keyboards, Ildo Nandja – bass, Niek de Bruijn – drums

Concert starts: 20.00

Doors: 19.00

Photo: Daniel N. Johnson