Ezra Collective: Jazz That Fills the Dancefloor

Ezra Collective play jazz as if the room were full and everyone were already moving.

The London five-piece are Femi Koleoso on drums, his brother TJ Koleoso on bass, Joe Armon-Jones on keys, Ife Ogunjobi on trumpet and James Mollison on saxophone. Dylan Jones played trumpet in an earlier line-up. They describe a sound that marries the delicate technicalities of jazz musicianship with afrobeat and hip-hop. The result is rigorous without being cloistered.

The recognition came early. Their release Juan Pablo: The Philosopher won Best Jazz Album at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards in January 2018. It confirmed a band already known for live energy.

Their records read like guest lists from the wider London scene. On "No One's Watching Me" they sit alongside Olivia Dean. "Streets is Calling" brings in M.anifest and Moonchild Sanelly. Earlier, "No Confusion" featured Kojey Radical, and "Love In Outer Space" featured Nao.

On Red Light Jazz Radio you'll hear them next to the soul and hip-hop they sit so comfortably beside. Start with "Victory Dance", then stay for the rest.