London-based quintet Ezra Collective—comprising drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison—has been a defining force in the UK’s vibrant music scene. Their unique fusion of jazz, Afrobeat, hip-hop, and soul reflects the rich cultural tapestry of London, resulting in a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition.
In 2023, they made history by becoming the first jazz act to win the prestigious Mercury Prize for their album Where I’m Meant to Be. Following this achievement, they released Dance, No One’s Watching in 2024, further solidifying their place in the global music landscape.
Now, for the first time, Ezra Collective is bringing their electrifying live performance to Mexico at Bahidorá Festival, held from February 14 to 16, 2025, in Las Estacas. We recently sat down with the festival’s music curator, Lucia “Uchi” Anaya, who shared that she had been trying to bring Ezra Collective to Bahidorá for several years—and now, the time was finally right, where all the stars aligned. Read more here.
Tigre Sounds connected with Ezra Collective to talk about their musical journey, global success, and what’s in store for their Mexico and Bahidorá debut.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Your music seamlessly blends jazz, Afrobeat, and hip-hop, pushing genre boundaries while staying deeply rooted in London’s musical culture. What drives you to merge these styles, and what message do you hope to convey through your music?
EZRA COLLECTIVE: I think the driving force behind blending genres is it’s the way we express who we are, how we’ve grown, and how we’re changing. When the band started, I loved jazz and I loved grime. Salsa wasn’t a part of my life until much later on. Salsa represents musical growth in myself, and blending it into our music is how I show that. The message we’re trying to convey is one of joy, one of hope, one of the power of people being together. Irrespective of our differences, we should learn to love each other.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Your latest album, Where I’m Meant to Be, has resonated globally. What has the experience been like bringing this project to life and sharing it with the world?
EZRA COLLECTIVE: Very positive. Very grateful. Seeing people dance all over the world to those sounds is a dream come true.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Ezra Collective has evolved from a grassroots London jazz scene to a global sensation. How has your sound developed over the years, and what new directions are you exploring in your recent projects?
EZRA COLLECTIVE: The development of the sound over the years has been embedded in the development of the sounds we have discovered. Letting the new music we love influence us. Letting the life experiences we have growing up influence us. The sounds and directions we’re getting into at the moment I think are rooted in more traditional Afrobeat, but also West African music outside of Nigeria, highlife, and Ghanaian disco. That seems to be a new world for us.
TIGRE SOUNDS: What can we expect from your live set at Bahidorá? Any surprises in store?
EZRA COLLECTIVE: I think the surprise is it’s our first time in Mexico. And what to expect… us giving it our absolute everything for as long as they’ll have us.
View this post on Instagram
Purchase tickets here to be part of this unforgettable event.