About our Ezra Collective news
Latest news on Ezra Collective, a British jazz quintet that won the 2023 Mercury Prize for their second studio album Where I'm Meant To Be. The album is a fusion of various musical genres, such as Afro-Cuban rhythms, post-bop, rap, dub, funk and dance music. It features guest appearances from Sampa the Great, Kojey Radical and Nao, among others. The album has been praised for its energy, diversity and creativity by critics and fans alike.
Ezra Collective is part of a vibrant London jazz scene that embraces experimentation and collaboration. The band members met at a youth club and have been playing together since 2012. They have performed at various festivals and venues around the world, including Glastonbury, SXSW, Boiler Room and the Blue Note in Tokyo. They have also collaborated with artists such as Jorja Smith, Loyle Carner and Moses Boyd.
Ezra Collective's Mercury Prize win is a historic moment for UK jazz, as it is the first time a jazz group has won the prestigious award. It also reflects the growing popularity and recognition of jazz music in the UK and beyond. Ezra Collective's bandleader Femi Koleoso said: "If a jazz band winning the Mercury Prize doesn't make you believe in God, nothing will." He also thanked the youth organisations that support young musicians and encouraged more people to listen to jazz music.