Femi Koleoso: Last News

Ezra Collective brought out London youth club Kinetika Bloco for their performance at BBC 6 Music Festival. Check it out below.The moment took place during their headline performance on Thursday (March 27) night at the Manchester-based festival.“6 Music made it beautifully specific that they wanted the gig to feel different, to have a specific theme, and they gave us the planning permission to choose it ourselves,” Femi Koleoso told the crowd.

Ezra Collective told NME why they think giving back to the community is vital in preserving their legacy. Read the interview below, or watch it in full via the video above.The London jazz group caught up with NME while on the red carpet for the 2025 BRIT Awards at The O2 in London, shortly before they bagged the trophy for Group Of The Year and took to the stage for a closing performance with Jorja Smith.The Mercury Prize winners are no strangers to arenas, after recently becoming the first jazz act to headline Wembley Arena – an experience they wanted to feel as intimate as possible for fans.“We took every second and made it count so when we finished, we were just proud [and] excited for what the next thing is,” drummer Femi Koleoso told NME.

Ezra Collective and Jorja Smith are the final acts to be confirmed as performing at the BRIT Awards 2025.Smith and Ezra Collective are the final performers confirmed to take the stage at the upcoming awards ceremony, which will take place at The O2 in London on Saturday March 1, and broadcast exclusively on ITV1 and ITVX.Ezra Collective – who were the recipients of the 2023 Mercury Prize – are one of the most nominated artists at this year’s event, with four nominations in the categories of Mastercard Album of the Year, Group of the Year, Best New Artist, and Alternative/Rock Act.Smith is also a previous BRITs winner, having earned the 2018 Rising Star award and the trophy for the 2019 British Female Solo Artist. She was also nominated in 2019 for Mastercard Album of the Year and Breakthrough Act.They join the likes of the previously announced Sam Fender and Lola Young as well as Sabrina Carpenter, who will also be awarded the prestigious Global Success award.

Ezra Collective have been announced as the runners-up to the BBC Sound Of 2025 shortlist.The list looks to highlight the acts with “the best chance of mainstream success” in the next 12 months, and is chosen by a panel of 180 music industry experts.The longlist was first shared late last year and contained names like Kneecap, Confidence Man, Mk.gee and NME 100 2023 alumni Doechii.This Monday (January 6) saw the BBC begin a day-by-day countdown of the top five Sound Of 2025 artists. Leeds band, Mercury Prize winners and former NME Cover Stars English Teacher came in at Number Five before 2025 BRIT Rising Star winner Myles Smith took the Number Four position.Yesterday, third place was confirmed as going to festival favourite and Scottish electronic producer and DJ, Barry Can’t Swim.Now, it has been announced that London-based jazz quintet Ezra Collective have secured the Number Two slot on the 2025 list.The milestone accomplishment comes on the heels of a massive couple of years for the band.

Ezra Collective have shared new single ‘Streets Is Calling’ and spoken to NME about the importance of social activism and Damon Albarn’s influence on the group following drummer Femi Koleoso’s stint in Gorillaz.Last year, the London quintet became the first jazz act to walk away with the prestigious Mercury Prize. What has followed has been a whirlwind of acclaim and further accolades.

Ezra Collective have shared their firey new single ‘Ajala’ and have announced a 2024 UK and European tour.The blazing new track features rhythmic drums paired with a joyful saxophone and trumpet section and stellar keys and bass line. ‘Ajala’ interpolates the sounds of Afrobeats and Highlife with Jazz.‘Ajala’ also serves as a nod to the nomadic spirit of the infamous Olabisi Ajala, the Ghanaian-Nigerian world adventurer who ambitiously took on touring the world on his scooter, covering 87 countries.Speaking about the song in a press release, drummer Femi Koleoso said: “Ajala the Traveller is a journalist from Nigeria whose story is really beautiful.

Ezra Collective have been experiencing a nearly 900 per cent increase in album sales and streams since winning the 2023 Mercury Prize.The London-based jazz group – consisting of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison – won the award with their second LP ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’, beating Loyle Carner, Olivia Dean, RAYE, Shygirl, Jockstrap and more.As The Line of Best Fit reports, according to BPI analysis of Official Charts Company data, ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’ has seen 859 per cent increase in its combined sales and streams. The jump occurred between September 8 -10.A post shared by Ezra Collective (@ezracollective)Physical album sales and downloads also saw an impressive jump with 6,012 per cent hike compared to the same three day period the week before and audio streams seeing a 1,960 per cent increase.Following the band’s win, Koleoso gave a passionate speech while accepting the award.“Most importantly, Ezra Collective represents something really special because we met in a youth club.

Ezra Collective won the 2023 Mercury Prize for their album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’ last night (September 7) – read their full acceptance speech below.The jazz collective were outsiders to clinch the prize going into tonight’s (September 7) ceremony beating off favourites Jockstap, Loyle Carner and Young Fathers at London’s Eventim Apollo.After the band were announced as winners by Jamz Supernova, bandleader and drummer Femi Koleoso then thanked their manager, fans and more, before extending thanks to the musical education instutitions around the UK that helped the members of the band, and thousands of others, begin a career in music.Watch and read the speech in full below.“First of all, let me thank god because, if a jazz band winning the Mercury Prize doesn’t make you believe in God, I don’t know what will. Secondly, there’s five of us represented right now, but Ezra Collective represents an entire family.“We need to make some noise for our super mum, our manager, Amy. I’m talking about Marco, Jeremy, Temi, the whole live crew. Big up every single mum and dad represented across the band.“Most importantly, Ezra Collective represents something really special because we met in a youth club. This moment that we’re celebrating right here is testimony to good, special people putting time and effort into [helping] young people to play music.“Right now, this is not just a result for Ezra Collective – this is not just a result for UK jazz – but this is a special moment for every single organisation across the country ploughing their efforts and time into young people playing music.“Big up Tomorrow’s Warriors, big up Kinetika Bloco, big up the BRIT School, big up ELAM (East London Arts and Music), big up Jubilee Youth, big up

Ezra Collective have spoken to NME about 2023 Mercury Prize and their impact on the jazz scene. Watch the full video interview above.Before they picked up the coveted prize for their second album ‘Where I’m Meant to Be’, the band caught up with NME and revealed the inspiration behind the record, and their unconventional plans to celebrate.The five-piece spoke with NME on the Mercury Prize red carpet yesterday (September 7), just before they took to the stage to perform their track ‘Victory Dance’ at London’s Eventim Apollo and be named as the winners of album of the year – beating off competition from the likes of Loyle Carner, Raye, Young Fathers, Arctic Monkeys, Lankum, Shygirl, Jockstrap and Jessie Ware.Here, drummer Femi Koleoso explained what it means for Ezra Collective to be representing the jazz community at the prestigious award ceremony, and how the members were caught off-guard by the widespread support they have received in light of their latest record.“I feel like it’s just wonderful to be a part of something so big and so special.

Ezra Collective have won the 2023 Mercury Prize for their album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’.The jazz collective were outsiders to clinch the prize going into tonight’s (September 7) ceremony beating off favourites Jockstap, Loyle Carner and Young Fathers at London’s Eventim Apollo.Jamz Supernova presented the collective with the prize and they were greeted with red confetti as they reached the stage.Accepting the trophy, Femi Koleoso, said: “Wow first of all let me thank God because if a jazz band winning the Mercury Prize doesn’t make you believe in God I don’t know what will.”He went on to thank the band’s manager and his mum and dad before adding: “Ezra Collective represents something very special because we met in a youth club. What we’re celebrating right is testimony to good special people, for putting in effort for young people to play music.“This is not just a result for Ezra Collective, for UK jazz but it’s a special moment for every organisation across the country ploughing their efforts and time into young people that play music.”The collective earlier played their track ‘Victory Dance’ and got up to perform the track for a second time after after accepting the award.All of the artists performed live on the night apart from Fred Again..

Ezra Collective have shared a new collaboration with Sampa the Great and announced their new album, ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’, will arrive in November.On the new single ‘Life Goes On’, which nods sonically to Fela Kuti’s ‘Shakara Oloje,’ Sampa fires off rapid verses over horns, keys and bass, buoyed by particularly lively percussion courtesy of bandleader (and touring Gorillaz drummer) Femi Koleoso. The song arrives alongside a video directed by Nathan Miller and shot on location in both London and Lusaka, Zambia.“London meets Lusaka. Moments of Joy, moments of struggle, but United in a spirit that we must carry on.