Ezra Collective has won the prestigious the Mercury Prize 2023

Ezra Collective has won the prestigious Mercury Prize for the best British or Irish album of 2023 for their album Where I’m Meant to Be.

Ezra Collective’s win is historic as it marks the first time a jazz artist has won the prize since its inception in 1992. The Mercury Prize is an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland. The band beat off stiff competition from 11 other acts, including Arctic Monkeys, Fred Again.., and Jessie Ware, to walk away with the award. The Mercury Prize judges praised Ezra Collective’s album Where I’m Meant to Be as an uplifting and timely record that represents the very best of where we are now in 2023.

The band is composed of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison. In accepting the award, Koleoso spoke about the importance of music education and the role that youth clubs played in bringing the band together. The band members expressed their gratitude to the special people who put time and effort into young people playing music. They also thanked grassroots collectives in London such as Tomorrow’s Warriors and Kinetika Bloco for their support. He also thanked the band's fans and supporters, saying that the award was a win for the whole community.

Listen to Ezra Collective's awarded album Where I'm Meant to Be:

Ezra Collective was formed in 2014 and has since released two albums and two EPs. They have toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, and have performed at major festivals such as Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds. Ezra Collective is known for its energetic and engaging live shows. Their music draws on a wide range of influences, including funk, Afrobeat, and hip-hop, and they have been praised for their energetic live shows and their ability to connect with audiences of all ages. Ezra Collective's album Where I'm Meant to Be was released in March 2023 to critical acclaim.

The band's victory is a landmark moment for British jazz. It is the first time that a jazz act has won the Mercury Prize, and it comes at a time when the genre is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. It is a testament to the band's innovative sound, their diverse influences, and their ability to connect with audiences of all ages. Congratulations to Ezra Collective on their well-deserved win!

Watch the below video for Ezra Collective performing at the Mercury Prize 2023 show: