NYC Winter Jazzfest presents
Jan
09
Thu January 9th, 2025
7:30PM
Main Space
Minimum Age: 18+
Doors Open: 6:30PM
Show Time: 7:30PM
Event Ticket: $35-$45
Day of Show: $45
Winter Jazzfest kicks off with an unforgettable performance by aja monet, the Grammy-nominated Surrealist Blues Poet whose artistry has been called “spellbinding” and “revolutionary.” Known for her groundbreaking debut album, when the poems do what they do, aja blends poetry and music in a way that transcends traditional boundaries, weaving together raw emotion, history, and deep social consciousness. As NPR describes it, her work is “a blend of blues and resistance,” uniting themes of love, liberation, and the relentless pursuit of joy in the face of adversity. Tonight aja monet performs with Javier Santiago, Justin Brown, Logan Richardson, and Ben Williams.
On the Grammy nominated album, aja collaborates with world-class musicians like Lonnie Holley and Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah to create a soundscape that is both haunting and uplifting. The album explores the ancestral roots of blues and jazz, infused with a modern poetry edge that reaches into the soul of contemporary struggles and resilience. Okayplayer praised her poetry for its ability to “draw you into a place of profound empathy and connection,” while the LA Times recognized her as an artist whose words “pulse with the rhythm of resilience.”
But beyond the album, it’s aja’s live performances that truly leave an indelible mark. Her shows are immersive, communal experiences where every poem is a call to belonging, solidarity, and transformation. Audiences have been deeply moved by her ability to create an inclusive, intimate space; as one attendee noted, “you belong here too.” People have left her shows feeling not only seen but also more empowered and uplifted. Her stage presence and delivery pulse with authenticity and a profound connection to the audience, inviting everyone present to find meaning and refuge in her words.
This opening night at Winter Jazzfest is more than a show—it’s a collective journey, a celebration of community, healing, and resilience. Join aja monet as she invites you to “lean in” and feel the power of art to soothe and ignite the spirit.
Ticketing Policy
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Physical photo ID required for all shows with age restrictions – no exceptions.
When an event sells out, fans who missed out on tickets can join the Waitlist for a chance to purchase tickets from someone who can no longer attend. Joining the Waitlist does NOT guarantee entry to the event, please do NOT arrive at the venue unless you are contacted about tickets becoming available.
Joining the Waitlist:
• If you’re looking for a ticket to a sold out show, add your info the the corresponding Waitlist.
• If a ticket becomes available, you’ll be notified and your credit card will be charged.
Listing Your Ticket on the Waitlist:
• If you already have a ticket, you can list it on the waitlist through the “My Tickets” page.
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Aja Monet
Aja monet is a Grammy-nominated Surrealist Blues Poet. She follows in the long legacy of poets assembling in social movements. Her poems are a work of gravity. At any given time you’ll hear the revolutionary spirit of Audre Lorde and the Last Poets, the feel of June Jordan, Amiri Baraka, Jayne Cortez and even the expressive ephemerality of a passing blue note. Organizing and activism manifest as part of her process toward liberation, with the poems, the music, and the art serving as a scribe of the time. Her first full collection of poems entitled, my mother was a freedom fighter is a testament to all mothers, women, and girls who struggle to live, love, and move freely in the world. Her debut poetry album, when the poems do what they do was nominated for a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. She explores migration, spirituality, and femininity while centering Black resistance, love and the inexhaustible quest for joy. The songs throughout are insistent and unrelenting, with some reminiscent of jazz club virtuosity and melee while others act as a healing balm in gilead, moving like that of the call to intercessory prayer. Tonight aja monet performs with Mariah Davenport, Malcolm Javier Santiago, Justin Brown, Logan Richardson, and Benjamin Williams.
Fay Victor
Singer-soundartist-lyricist-band leader Fay Victor performs Herbie Nichols SUNG — a loving celebration of jazz composer Herbie Nichols’ rich legacy & powerful work. Victor’s innovative arrangements are brought to vibrant life by a gifted quintet of veteran jazz artists Michaël Attias, Anthony Coleman, Ratzo Harris, and Tom Rainey.
Sophye Soliveau
Sophye Soliveau is a singer, harpist, and choir conductor with a deep-rooted passion for African-American music, spanning R&B, soul, and gospel. Her classical training shapes a unique sound where creative improvisation meets a pursuit of healing and freedom.