The five-piece band, made up of drummer Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, saxophonist James Mollison, and trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, seamlessly blend jazz, funk, and Afrobeat in their music. The band has been together for over a decade, forging their friendship as teenagers and refining their talents in a youth group organized by the grassroots collective, Tomorrow’s Warriors, in London.
Ezra Collective has recently won the prestigious 2023 Mercury Prize for their second studio album, Where I’m Meant To Be, released in November 2022 on Partisan Records. The album features an impressive lineup of artists, including Sampa The Great, Kojey Radical, Emile Sande, filmmaker Steve McQueen, and Nao. Notably, their debut album, You Can’t Steal My Joy, released in 2019, reached the number one spot on the jazz and blues albums chart, according to the Official Charts Company.
During an interview with the PA news agency at the Mercury Prize ceremony, drummer Femi Koleoso expressed his desire for Ezra Collective to be seen as representatives of music as a whole, rather than just jazz. He hopes for a future where musicians from all genres can be recognized and celebrated by prestigious awards like the Mercury Prize, eliminating the idea of tokenism.
Koleoso also discussed the evolution of their music, stating that with each album, they are able to articulate their feelings more strongly, eloquently, and profoundly. The band aims to remain authentic and continue pushing boundaries with their music.
Reflecting on the message of their award-winning album, Koleoso emphasized the importance of embracing where one is meant to be, finding solace and purpose in every moment. The album serves as a reminder to overcome impostor syndrome, acknowledging that they deserve to be where they are.
Ezra Collective’s Mercury Prize win comes with a £25,000 prize, and they join the esteemed group of past winners, including Arctic Monkeys, Skepta, Dave, and the only two-time winner, PJ Harvey.
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