Ezra Collective: "Nominations and awards feel incredible, but nothing competes with playing in front of people that love your music"

The British Jazz quintet have been shortlisted for their second studio album, Where I'm Meant To Be, which was released in 2022 and features collaborations from the likes of Kojey Radical on "No Confusion", and Sampha The Great on "Life Goes On".

Expressing what it's like to be nominated for their first Mercury Award, Ezra Collective are filled with pride. "It was such a collaborative effort, this record, and it was just a beautiful moment for all of us," Femi Koleoso says. "I also loved that we were all together when we found out. That made it extra special because we were all together when we made it."

When the news broke, Ezra Collective were playing a show, opening up for the legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. In a statement on their Instagram page, following the performance, they wrote: "Eye of the hurricane, first song we ever learnt. Played it on our first ever show. Thank you for everything. Meeting you was special. Hearing you play was wonderful. God Bless Herbie Hancock. The greatest. The embodiment of what Jazz is."

Thinking back to the making of Where I'm Meant To Be, Ezra Collective can distinctly remember the moment that felt like they were onto something special.

"Most of the stuff we make is in Wood Green, but we were in Brixton in a place called The Dairy," Koleoso says. "I just remember just all of us sat in a tiny room in a circle. We're just holding a groove down and I just remembered feeling like it was going to be incredible record. I just thought 'this is so much fun right now'."

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As a band rooted in improvisation, trying to make a record during the pandemic came with its struggles. What they learnt throughout the process was that no matter how bad things may seem at the time, things get better, and there's a power in having community around you.

"[The album] was made in lockdown at a time where we thought we would be on a world tour. We had shows booked – Coachella, Cape Town Jazz Festival – we had all of those things and they were taken away," Koleoso explains. "Then we realised how much we had even though we lost so much."

"We had each other; we had the ability to be together, and that was something that I didn't want to take for granted. That truly was the message that we were trying to convey through the record – [focusing on] where you're meant to be. It might be perfect right now, or it might be perfect one day, but just enjoy the journey."

Reflecting on the journey that they've been on since their debut album, You Can't Steal My Joy, Ezra Collective are grateful that they're able to continue making music and explore the world performing their songs to fans old and new.

"Nominations and awards feel incredible, but nothing competes with playing in front of people that love your music. I feel like those moments are the icing for us, and these moments are just a really, really proud thing."