Aja Monet: Tiny Desk Concert

Nikki Birch | December 1, 2023
Djembe. Drums. Piano and bass. A sweeping groove beckoned, welcoming us into the world of surrealist blues poet, Aja Monet. Transformed into a lush garden, the Tiny Desk bloomed with the stanzas, sounds and legacy of jazz poetry.
Monet’s poems cast unflinching eyes towards love, justice, accountability and the joy and healing of daughters and sons of the Black diaspora. At times, her words - gentle gut punches to the soul and psyche - had those in attendance whooping in agreement or silently weeping. These lyrical jokes, jabs and caresses were accentuated by her accompanists, a band made up of Tiny Desk veterans (Nate Smith and Logan Richardson) and jazz legends, including pianist and composer Brian Jackson, a long-time collaborator of renowned jazz poet Gil Scott-Heron.
Like the many jazz poets who came before her, Monet’s poetry is an invitation to question the world around you, to explore the sacred space within, to drown in the depths of your emotions and resurface with gratitude. All of these poems are featured on Monet’s latest album, when the poems do what they do, and her performance brings them to life in a way that makes you think you ought to lean in closer and absorb every word. She’s got bars.
SET LIST
“why my love?”
“weathering”
“the devil you know”
“castaway”
“black joy”
MUSICIANS
Aja Monet: vocals
Logan Richardson: saxophone
Brian Jackson: piano
Burniss Travis: upright bass
Weedie Braimah: percussion
Nate Smith: drums
Special thanks to: Classroom of Compassion
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Nikki Birch
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Mitra I. Arthur, Alanté Serene, Estefania Mitre
Audio Assistant: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills, Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #nprmusic #ajamonet

[@nprmusic]

Want to play your own Tiny Desk concert? Unsigned musicians, enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest between Jan. 23 and Feb. 21. Learn more: npr.org/tinydeskcontest.

[@user-sq2no9yb4y]

Right save it on CD ROM

[@RNBsingersarehiphopheadstoo]

I really wish that Tiny Desk would start putting these out in audio form. They should be on DSP’s or at least able for us to purchase. Another revenue stream for artist and npr

[@leahmartin2450]

there is a mac miller tiny desk vinyl!!

[@noahcutts7491]

NPR was releasing Tiny Desk concerts in podcast format until they suddenly stopped uploading them after mid-April 2022 for reasons unknown. I agree they should resume doing this though!

[@cgogetit]

Completely agree!

[@bkjnr2]

WHaaaaaaT!? So sick, thanks for sharing that x@@leahmartin2450

[@11122sweetness]

Some are on apple music.

[@exploringuncertainty]

Today I picked a random artist I didn’t know to watch today. Wow.. she speaks so much truth and with such a conscious tongue and detailed vocabulary. I have so many chills watching her. I’m so happy I clicked on this today

[@ParisPact]

That's the beauty of NPRs tiny desk - you may not know the artist (I didn't), but it's guaranteed to be cool

[@Destrada919]

I am doing the exact same thing. And loving it

[@isabellamartinezaleman]

When she announced that this tiny desk was coming out at her LA concert on Wednesday night the whole crowd went crazy!!! We love you Aja, you are the light

[@glendorameyers4584]

Thank you Nikki Giovanni for plowing and paving the way for this Queen…. She does you proud! No comparisons just The passing of the baton and sprinting forward..

[@myaleeza]

Yesssss

[@valencia4834]

Amen to that ❤

[@castroleiro]

Yup Yup

[@praywithourfeet]

Okkkk!! ♥️📣📣

[@marceneogawa7617]

Amen ✝️💗👩🏾‍🦱✨

[@mr.thomas1303]

Time Stamps 0:00 - "Why My Love?" 5:38 - "Weathering" 9:00 - "The Devil You Know" 15:59 - "Castaway" 21:07 - "Black Joy" Enjoy!

[@__J_____]

I love her voice over jazz… perfect combination

[@orrhousecreative]

So enlightening to hear poetry expressed in this way. Truly a beacon for those making their own ways through the darkness behind her.

[@deacon8754]

Clicked on by mistake, said I’d give it a few seconds to see, didn’t take long to realize the universe was leading me here and I’m happy with this new discovery.

[@her-balzensations]

Risings beautiful ppl may today brings you joy as you listen to the symphony of poetic words that’s serenade your ear drums. Namaste 🙏🏾

[@jasminewillis4997]

Great New Day to you. May peace joy and good health abound in you🙌🏾

[@CallHerChristian]

Aja I’ll never forget when I met you when we lived in Little Haiti … and yous would open your home for all us creatives during Art Basel. Some of the best memories I have from your time down there. Thank you for sharing your mind with us. God bless you always

[@joelikesthings]

I recommend her "when the poems do what they do" album so heavily. 100% recommend to listen with headphones on, it sounds amazing sonically.

[@AngelaJaneBachmann]

Thiiiiis woman is cutting through the darkness of the world. ❤

[@mizz308]

Been a fan for so long I love seeing this poetry get some light we need the poems ♥️♥️

[@jackierodriguez-gonzalez7187]

Is there anything more pure than poetry to the sounds of music

[@BeingTiffany]

Ughhhh Aja is so amazing. This was such a treat! The world needs more blues/jazz poets. The world needs more truth, more love! 💓

[@naturallysweet]

Tiny Desk concerts are top tier. 👌🏽

[@1219FAS]

Incredible style and so much joy in this concert, thank you Tiny Desk 😊

[@Eden-is-Here]

The absolute best thing I've heard in a very long time! Thank you for sharing this strength and this joy!

[@Tocar_Tocando]

Great combination of love, jazz and poetry. Thanks!

[@praywithourfeet]

As soon as I saw Aja Monet, I clicked! 💃🏽 Love this amazing writing / creative flow! ❤ Her collection of poetry is a treasure!

[@demitrisargent4039]

Why My Love? Makes me feel heard, represented, overstood, seen and felt on a soul level.

[@PuertoRicanChuckles]

Amazing way to start a Friday!

[@AJ-wr3oi]

Love Love Love.....What a beautiful start to the month. NPR doesn't miss, and neither does Aja

[@melissaedwards8738]

"The devil you know" is the truth ❤ thank you for this performance!

[@rabiekondowe8132]

Aja is everything

[@sinastengel189]

Preciosa🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@djblackjoy]

Sun Ra’s essence will never die ❤️

[@Engineer9736]

All those people are amazing 👍. The woman has so much character, really like connected to her soul, very confident.

[@ReneWirtz]

I was hoping for this particular Tiny Desk Concert after I purchased and listened to Aja Monet's When the Poems Do What They Do and man do NPR and this poet/jazz combo deliver. Salve for the soul, food for thought. Thank you!

[@glendorameyers4584]

Gil Scott Heron’s Brian Jackson? Hmmmm I wonder…. Really takes me back and sets me forward. Thank you

[@donasonica]

more ursula rucker, which is another artist you may want to get to know better

[@maitefaangaza2409]

Yes that was him.

[@eleanorzissou]

BRIAN JACKSON coming full circle. May GSH never be forgotten.

[@li_avila]

Oh, Aja! It’s a whole wave of emotions what I’ve experienced here… thank you, always.

[@PuertoRicanChuckles]

WhoopWhoop! Much Love Y'all

[@Delicate_Elephant]

Powerful. "True Joy is justice". 💖💖💖

[@craigmerkey8518]

She is everything! I have been listening to her album The Perfect Storm after hearing her on KCRW the Wyldeflower set! Vote with your spine! 🔥

[@sagetaluy7800]

The voice that shouted from Brooklyn all the way to Miami then all around the world. We are all to happy for you Aja! Keep shining ✨

[@DeeeeeKay392]

Yes!! So happy I got to see this today! Made my heart smile 🥰

[@kincamell]

Brilliant Peace to Brian Jackson. Peace to Gil Scott Heron

[@BassMusician7]

Love the creative, consistent flow ❤

[@CorinneStevie]

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you tiny desk & Aja Monet for this inspiration

[@drbekken]

I absolutely LOVE this Tiny Desk concert. Wow wow wow 🙂

[@fairybliss7772]

Thank you so much for introducing me to this amazing group

[@everythingispolitics6526]

Just sublime. 👌🏾👏🏾💐💐

[@OrganicAlumination]

Omg open mic!!! One of my favorite things. Like the culture of spoken word and performing poetry has almost been lost! We used to do this in elementary school, and for a split second as an adult I found certain places that did open mic, but it turned into just rap performances after a while. There needs to be a place in every city for spoken word

[@JustinKPrim]

So glad to see Aja on tiny desk. So cool.

[@J-S394]

What a absolute Godess! I am so moved by the words...

[@vec875]

Great stuff. Words are music, music speaks.

[@goddesstry1658]

Stunning to the ears. Her work makes time stand still✨🙏💓

[@user-cf8bc7js5p]

Beautiful

[@falkorock]

Wow i m impressed! Might my my new favourite tinydesk of my favourite concert series on youtube! Thanks a lot to Tiny Desk and Aja Monet and her musicians! FR

[@RevNunnWisdom]

Yes!! BEAUTIFUL!

[@VenusLovechild]

I follow her work and I’m even more inspired. This is beautiful. Thank you🙏🏽

[@siphesihlebuthelezi9184]

She is the one, she got it, she got it, you can't buy that

[@tonyacoleman9110]

I love spoken word, But "Surrealist Blues Poet" My God!! Phenomenal ❤❤❤Ooweeeee

[@Avencina]

Just saw her concert and it was incredible! What a star.. reminiscent of Gil Scott Heron

[@mensahajanaku]

We had Gil Scott and Brian, now we have Ajanaku and Brian. Long Live freedom fighters.

[@idkwhatoputsoomg]

I’ve listened to Aja for years 🤍 I’m so proud and happy to see that’s she made it to Tiny Desk. So well deserved.

[@glendorameyers4584]

This takes me back …. And I love it. Fantastical early rising for my dawning journey.

[@heathertea2704]

joy. Joy. JOY. JOY. JOY. This Tiny Desk is J. O. Y. 🔥🔥🔥

[@TheGamingCarousel]

just wow :D what a wonderful performance !!!

[@wandilemthembu]

Everything ♥️ This is everything ✨ thank you you Aja Monet 🫶🏾

[@jdh152]

Instant fan over here...

[@bunggelo]

I needed this today "My love be homemade" Oh the joy 🤎

[@genosiegelli5237]

Amazing … Moving … Fantastic … ❤

[@josimosquera2457]

Buah! Qué grande! .... Otro nivel

[@shannondemyers3756]

Aja is brilliant.

[@Latinquid]

Je ne connaissais pas du tout Aja Monet et j’ai été ébloui. Un moment de grâce, un de ces très rares découvertes artistiques qui illuminent un quotidien, certains jours, bien terne. Bravo à elle et aux musiciens !

[@_ashleighla]

I love me some Aja! This was so beautiful!

[@dieodd9866]

So refreshing! Those lyrcal vibes resonating in all my soul..;thank yall!

[@tijanska]

Five mins in and already transfixed. A-mazing! Thank you for this!

[@faithnkomo7179]

Just beautiful. Everything. ❤

[@paulbolton7508]

Vote with your backbone -wow! Been missing a poet to help make sense of the world since we lost Gil. Thank you Aja. Brian Jackson sees it too (here's hoping I look half as as good as he does when I reach his age)

[@aichabalde9567]

wow you really made me cry with Black joy. Thank you again from the UK

[@magdalanna]

on a tiny desk spree, im so grateful to have clicked upon Aja unintentionally.. WOW

[@poetresseproject]

Aja Monet is one of the most prolific poets to ever do it. Thank you Tiny Desk!❤

[@Cold_S0up]

She's so good it's crazy. I heard her on Eryn Allen Kane's EP, "A Tree Planted by Water" and am so happy she's doing more and bigger.

[@MoodyLover9]

Magical ✨🤎

[@SiyoliseThaphu]

Shuuu! Beautiful voice, beautiful words, beautiful aura 😍

[@tomas5376]

Wonderful! True joy is Justice and Freedom! Gracias👏👏👏👏👏

[@ruslikaici]

This was the most beautiful thing I've heard for a long time. It also reminded me of "(I'll Love You) Till the End of the World" by Nick Cave

[@rtoriq]

And please note that this magnificent artist has a LEGEND playing the piano with her, the longtime creative partner of Gil Scott-Heron…….Mr. Brian Jackson!!!!!

[@kyraocity]

4:40 introductions and notice the way the band accompanies her intro and how it shapes how we feel/sense the atmosphere of the surreal.

[@iraazela]

Yes please, more please and thank you❤

[@elsamoz1757]

How interesting way to read poetry, loved it all!

[@gritzgravy1760]

I'm at work listening and when she said Brian Jackson on keys, I had to subdue my shriek

[@samthompsonsamjamin]

Yes, Gil Scott was present.

[@gregc7699]

Ive never heard of her before ive always adored poetry shes amazing so heartfelt and passionate and has a really soothing voice but cuts through the jazzy undertones beautifully also amazing to see Brian Jackson on keys loved him ever since the Gil Scott Heron days what a legend

[@AP.lovetoAll]

Fly ♥️ From NYC, love to all. Bless.

[@GuillaumeVanhecke]

beautiful ....

[@KandyJohnson1]

This blessed my soul! ❤

[@khukei]

OMG FINALLY AJA MONET!!!

[@maliakakenyetta]

Castaway echoed in my soul and sent tears down my cheeks. What a beautiful expression of art, love, and life. This set was amazing!!! I’m a faaaann 🥹

[@solowayguitars]

Brian Jackson AND Nate Smith. What a brilliant band and what a perfect context for Ms Monet.

[@tinalove9418]

Bravo🦋🦋🦋

[@MoodyLover9]

“You know I’m intense but I like to have a good time too” ✨

[@3MUnique]

Brian Jackson is a legend indeed.✊🏾💪🏾 Now I wanna here some Gil Scott Heron.

[@sixolisemaboza4961]

❤❤thank you

[@martinewaltier]

It was worth the wait - Aja and the band were on fire!!

[@indrabarrios]

Wow!!!!

[@nadirahnaima77]

THIS WAS SPECIAL. she's like no other