Song of the Day: Ezra Collective - May The Funk Be With You

London's jazz band Ezra Collective unveils a new single May The Funk Be With You, from the band's forthcoming new album.

Bandleader Femi Koleoso says of the release, One of the blessings in the storm of lockdown was the opportunity to have jam sessions in the studio. No theme, no preparation, no plan - just let the funk happen organically. The magic of improvisation and spontaneity will always be part of Ezra Collective and May The Funk Be With You perfectly encapsulates that.

London 5-piece Ezra Collective are proving themselves as a harmonious tour de force. Their sound nods respectfully to a classic jazz footprint, celebrating the originators whilst also carving a path solely their own. They marry the delicate technicalities of jazz with afrobeat & hip hop, tied together by a sound that’s unmistakably London. The members of Ezra Collective — Femi Koleoso on drums, TJ Koleoso on bass, Joe Armon-Jones on keys, Ife Ogunjobi on trumpet and James Mollison on saxophone — met seven years ago at a jazz youth program called Tomorrow’s Warriors and formed the group soon after.

Listen to Ezra Collective new single May The Funk Be With You, from the band's forthcoming new album:

Ezra Collective’s incredible musicianship and spirited approach to music – which draws on afrobeat, Latin, hip-hop, grime and more – has seen them break out beyond the thriving UK jazz scene. The five friends have already completed a mosh pit-filled and totally sold out UK tour, played at Quincy Jones’ birthday party, and recently toured America for the first time.

Watch below video to Ezra Collective new single May The Funk Be With You, from the band's forthcoming new album: