
Feature Photo: Frolzart, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The rise of Ezra Collective reflects the power of young musicians who believed in creating a modern sound from the heart of London’s vibrant music community. The group formed from friendships built at Tomorrow’s Warriors, the celebrated youth music program that prepared many major figures in the United Kingdom’s contemporary jazz movement. Drummer Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and saxophonist James Mollison developed a chemistry that connected immediately on stage and in the studio. They began performing throughout London, shaping a style that effortlessly brought together jazz, Afrobeat, reggae, and hip hop with a sense of joy that resonated with audiences from the start.
Their discography began to develop with the release of their 2012 EP Chapter Seven, which helped introduce their voice to a larger audience. That early project led to the 2016 EP Chapter Zero, which continued to expand their profile across the United Kingdom. Their first full length album, You Can not Steal My Joy, arrived in 2019 and featured collaborations with artists including Jorja Smith and Loyle Carner. The album propelled them to wider recognition and placed them at the center of the London jazz renaissance. In 2022 they released Where I am Meant to Be, an album that captured everything the band had been building toward with its mix of cultural influence, soul, and rhythmic intensity.
Awards and accolades followed naturally as the group’s reputation continued to grow. Where I am Meant to Be earned one of the highest honors in modern British music when it won the Mercury Prize in 2023. This win made Ezra Collective the first jazz affiliated group to receive the award. It became a landmark moment not only for the band but also for the larger creative community that supported them throughout their journey. The Mercury Prize helped elevate their profile internationally and opened doors to more festival appearances, global touring, and further collaborations.
One of the reasons Ezra Collective is so admired in this business is their sincerity and commitment to using music as a unifying force. Their concerts radiate warmth and energy, giving audiences a sense of community rather than formality. The band members engage deeply with listeners, emphasizing the importance of representation, culture, and the joy of live performance. They also support youth music programs and use their platform to shine a light on the organizations that helped shape their careers. Their connection to Tomorrow’s Warriors remains an important part of their story, and they often speak publicly about its role in nurturing young talent.
Outside of recording and performing, Ezra Collective has embraced collaborations with artists across different genres and scenes. Their willingness to bring in vocalists, rappers, and instrumentalists from many backgrounds reflects their dedication to building bridges rather than staying confined to one musical lane. This spirit of openness is one of the qualities that made them a natural fit for this generation’s global jazz audience. With their catalog continuing to expand and their influence now firmly established, Ezra Collective stands as one of the most exciting examples of what can happen when musicians follow their instincts, honor their roots, and approach every project with heart.
Complete List Of Ezra Collective Songs From A to Z
- Ajala – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Belonging – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- Chasing The Square – Chapter 7 – 2016
- Chapter 7 – Chapter 7 – 2016
- Chris And Jane – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Colonial Mentality – Chapter 7 – 2016
- Dylan’s Dilemma – Juan Pablo: The Philosopher – 2017
- Ego Killah – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- Enter The Jungle – Chapter 7 – 2016
- Everybody – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Expensive – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- God Gave Me Feet For Dancing – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Have Patience – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Hear My Cry – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- I Have A God – Chapter 7 – 2016
- Intro – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Intro – Juan Pablo: The Philosopher – 2017
- James Speaks To The Galaxy – Juan Pablo: The Philosopher – 2017
- Juan Pablo – Juan Pablo: The Philosopher – 2017
- King Of The Jungle – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Life Goes On – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- Live Strong – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- Love In Outer Space – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- N29 – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Never The Same Again – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- No Confusion – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- No One’s Watching Me – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Palm Wine – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- People In Trouble – Juan Pablo: The Philosopher – 2017
- People Saved – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Philosopher II – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Quest For Coin – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Reason In Disguise – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Red Whine – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- São Paulo – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Shakara – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Shaking Body – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Siesta – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- Smile – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- Space Is The Place – Juan Pablo: The Philosopher – 2017
- Space Is The Place (Reprise) – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Streets is Calling – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- The Herald – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- The Philosopher – Juan Pablo: The Philosopher – 2017
- The Traveller – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Togetherness – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- Victory Dance – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- Welcome To My World – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- What Am I To Do? – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Why I Smile – Dance, No One’s Watching – 2024
- Why You Mad? – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
- Words By Steve – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- Words By TJ – Where I’m Meant To Be – 2022
- You Can’t Steal My Joy – You Can’t Steal My Joy – 2019
Albums
Chapter 7 (2016): 5 songs
Juan Pablo: The Philosopher (2017): 7 songs
You Can’t Steal My Joy (2019): 13 songs
Where I’m Meant To Be (2022): 14 songs
Dance, No One’s Watching (2024): 15 songs
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