Ezra Collective Clinches Historic Win with Mercury Prize for “Where I’m Meant to Be”

In a landmark event for the UK’s jazz music scene, Ezra Collective proudly stood center stage as they clinched the prestigious Mercury Prize for their acclaimed album, “Where I’m Meant to Be”. This victory is notably the first time in history that a jazz album has taken home this esteemed British music award.

Ezra Collective, a gifted ensemble hailing from London, boasts of a diverse and accomplished lineup. Comprising drummer Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, the dexterous fingers of keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, alongside saxophonist James Mollison and trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, the quintet showcased their musical prowess, setting them apart from a talented pool of contenders. Heavyweights in the music industry, including the likes of rock stalwarts Arctic Monkeys, poetic rapper Loyle Carner, and the soulful Raye, vied for the coveted trophy. The winning title secured Ezra Collective a handsome cash prize of £25,000 (approx. $31,177).

Their triumphant album, “Where I’m Meant to Be”, has received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. The studio album, which is the band’s second offering, has been distinguished by appearances from musical icons such as Emeli Sande and Kojey Radical, as well as renowned director Steve McQueen. The band paints this album as a resonant “thumping celebration of life”, and it certainly has lived up to its descriptor.

Accepting the award, Femi Koleoso shared an evocative and heartfelt message, shedding light on Ezra Collective’s unique journey. “Ezra Collective represents something truly remarkable,” Koleoso began, reminiscing their humble beginnings at a youth club. He passionately remarked, “This moment we’re celebrating right now stands as testament to dedicated individuals investing time and effort into nurturing young talent in music.” He further underscored the win as a collective victory, not only for their band or the broader UK jazz community, but as a defining moment for every institution nationwide, dedicatedly nurturing the musical aspirations of the youth.

The Mercury Prize, encompassing a rich diversity of musical genres, meticulously curates a shortlist of 12 standout albums annually. These are albums released by Irish and British acts within the UK over the preceding year. Its inception dates back to 1992 when rock group Primal Scream took home the inaugural award. Since then, an eclectic mix of artists, ranging from rapper Little Simz to the iconic rock band Pulp and the singularly talented singer PJ Harvey, have had the honor of holding the Mercury Prize.

This year witnessed a plethora of remarkable nominations. Albums that stood out include “Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)” crafted by producer and DJ Fred again, rapper J Hus’s “Beautiful And Brutal Yard”, the melodious “That! Feels Good!” by Jessie Ware, and the invigorating “Heavy Heavy” by Scottish ensemble Young Fathers. The list also featured experimental pop duo Jockstrap’s “I Love You Jennifer B”, soulful Olivia Dean’s “Messy”, Irish folk ensemble Lankum’s “False Lankum”, Carner’s poetic “Hugo”, and the captivating “Nymph” by Shygirl. Rounding off the nominations were Arctic Monkeys with “The Car” and Raye’s evocative “My 21st Century Blues”.

This Mercury Prize ceremony stands as a testament to the evolving and vibrant UK music scene, with jazz now echoing louder than ever before.

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