Grammy-nominated American poet and self-proclaimed word musician aja monet is one of the most original new voices from the US. With a deeply sensitive presence and a rare ear for tone, rhythm and cadence, she moves melodically and spiritually between words and music, making the longstanding intersection of jazz and political poetry feel more vital than ever. This November, she makes her debut at ALICE with her quartet, presenting her critically acclaimed album “the color of rain”.

“Her words evoke the presence of rain itself: strong enough to change the tides, and gentle enough to relieve weary spirits.” – The Line of Best Fit

Poet, musician and activist aja monet was born and raised in Brooklyn to Cuban and Jamaican parents. She began writing poetry as a child and broke through at just 19, when in 2007 she became the youngest poet ever to win the title of Grand Slam Champion at New York’s iconic Nuyorican Poets Café. In 2018, she released her acclaimed poetry collection “My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter”, which was nominated for a NAACP Image Award that same year.

With her 2023 Grammy-nominated album “when the poems do what they do”, monet established herself as a distinctive voice at the intersection of jazz and political poetry. Her rare ability to let words flow in and out of music brings to mind icons such as Lonnie Holley, Gil Scott-Heron, Audre Lorde and the poets of the Beat Generation. On her latest album, “the color of rain”, aja monet explores a more experimental and genre-defying musical universe. Jazz, soul, hip-hop and rhythm and blues intertwine into a vibrant and surreal sonic tapestry that moves between the intimate and the societal, between inner reflection and the turbulent world we live in. We are proud to present this unique and socially conscious voice as aja monet makes her debut at ALICE this November with her quartet.

Lineup
aja monet: vocals
Brian Hargrove – keys
Dom Sanders – double bass
Brian Collier – drums