Brit jazz stars Ezra Collective joined on stage by X-Factor legend Leona Lewis
The BRIT Award winners performed a sell-out show in London and appeared on stage with some huge names
Ezra Collective perform on stage in London
The powerhouse of the British jazz scene, Ezra Collective performed a sell-out gig with some very special guests.
The Mercury Prize and BRIT Award-winners were joined on stage by Leona Lewis, Kojey Radical and Yazmin Lacey for a sold-out gig full of surprise performances at London’s iconic KOKO.
Ezra Collective headlined British Airways American Express presents Ezra Collective & Friends, a one-night-only celebration of music, connection and 25 years of the British Airways American Express Card.
The group, made up of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison, met at the jazz youth programme Tomorrow’s Warriors.
Their music is described as a fusion of Afrobeat, calypso, reggae, hip-hop, soul and jazz. In 2023, they were awarded the Mercury Music prize and last year they became the first jazz group to win Group of the Year at the BRIT Awards.
Leona Lewis was one of their special guests
As if this wasn’t enough, Ezra Collective’s 2024 single, God Gave Me Feet For Dancing, was chosen by former US President Barack Obama as one of his 25 favourite songs of the year.
Formed in London’s youth clubs, the band brought their unmistakable blend of jazz, hip-hop and global influences to the KOKO stage, alongside friends and collaborators.
Paying tribute to London, Ezra Collective bandleader and drummer Femi Koleoso told the crowd: “London gave birth to Ezra Collective, so to be here tonight with you all, and looking out into this amazing crowd seeing people who have helped us get to this point is so amazing. Dance and celebrate with no rules and always keep practising London, you are the best city in the world.”
The show followed the release of their latest album, Here Because Of Hope, their most ambitious and personal record yet, tracing the movement of Black music across continents and generations, from Africa through the Caribbean and home to the streets of London.
The set list featured hits, with Kojey Radical joining the band for No Confusion, Yazmin Lacey performing God Gave Me Feet For Dancing, and Leona Lewis making a surprise appearance for All I Need.
