Matana Roberts

About the Artist

Matana Roberts is a versatile and avant-garde jazz composer and saxophonist known for weaving complex narratives through her music that often explore themes of history, identity, and social justice. Her performances blend elements of free jazz, experimental sounds, and storytelling, creating immersive sonic experiences that challenge conventional structures. With works like 'Amma Jerusalem School' and 'Jewels Of The Sky: Inscription,' Roberts takes listeners on an introspective journey, often rooted in African American history and personal reflection. She has been praised for her ability to transform the saxophone into a voice of poetic urgency, and while her music may sometimes traverse challenging terrain, it retains a deeply soulful and evocative quality. Fans admire her for pushing boundaries much like a jazz detective unveiling hidden stories, though perhaps without the usual saxophone clichés.