London's Groove-Based Ezra Collective
London-based quintet Ezra Collective makes music with an irresistible blend of groove that includes Afrobeat, hip-hop, grime, reggae, and jazz. Led by drummer Femi Koleoso, and anchored by his brother TJ Koleoso on bass with keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, and featuring what looks like a hard bop frontline of Dylan Jones on trumpet and James Mollison on tenor sax, the group’s members are all skilled improvisers who can easily incite packed crowds into a sweaty dance party with their infectious rhythms. They’ve arranged Saturn-born Sun Ra’s “Space is the Place” on their EP, Juan Pablo: The Philosopher, as well as Herbie Hancock and Fela Kuti tunes at their live shows, and take inspiration from classic and more recent bangers like Patrice Rushen’s “Forget Me Nots” or The Internet’s “Roll (Burbank Funk)“ (with thanks to musicismysanctuary.com). They’re here in town for the annual Winter Jazzfest and join us in-studio to play some of their originals. -Caryn Havlik
Watch the session here:
