The Messthetics, Irreversible Entanglements, and more as Vancouver International Jazz Festival announces June's Granville Island series

Lakecia Benjamin, We All Break, and aja monet among other names on Performance Works roster

The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis features members of legendary post-hardcore band Fugazi. Photo by Shervin Lainez

COASTAL JAZZ has announced the first slate of Performance Works shows that will be part of this year’s Granville Island Jazz series at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

They include the free-jazz quintet Irreversible Entanglements on June 22, led by poet-vocalist Camae Ayewa’s (aka Moor Mother) explorations of Black trauma, survival, and power.

The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis hit the stage June 23, featuring drummer Brendan Canty and bassist Joe Lally—former members of DC post-hardcore legends Fugazi. In 2016, they formed Messthetics with guitar virtuoso Anthony Pirog, joined in 2021 by acclaimed saxophonist James Brandon Lewis.

On June 26, aja monet, a 2024 Grammy nominee for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album, is joined by Ben Williams on bass, Logan Richardson on sax, Justin Brown on drums, and Javier Santiago on keys.

New York City–based saxophonist, arranger, composer, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix play on June 27.

On June 28, Grammy-winning drumming legend Ulysses Owens Jr’s Generation Y takes the stage at Performance Works.

Haitian Vodou-inspired We All Break, the brainchild of drummer/composer Ches Smith, plays June 29.

Tickets will be available on March 26 at coastaljazz.ca at 10 am.

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