Ezra Collective: KCRW Live from HQ

London-based jazz quintet Ezra Collective hits KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio with rapturous live interpretations of cuts from their 2022 album Where I’m Meant To Be, including “Victory Dance,” “Welcome To My World,” and “Smile.” Sonorous bass, extended jams, and love for the grand piano abound.
Drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, along with his brother (and the band’s bassist) TJ Koleoso also join Novena Carmel to talk about how they make music, a love for Chicago House, and taking drum lessons from Afro-beat pioneer Tony Allen.
Discover more intimate performances and candid conversations over at kcrw.com/live-from.
Credits:
KCRW Music Director: Anne Litt
Video Director / Editor: Angie Scarpa
Camera Operators : Vice Cooler, Dalton Blanco and Angie Scarpa
Recording/Mix Engineer: John Meek
Event Producer: Liv Surnow
Assistant Producer: Anna Chang
Art Director: Evan Solano
Lighting Design: Jason Groman
Digital Producer: Andrea Domanick
Enjoy this session? Support KCRW's mission to share music with the world. Our non-profit radio station in Santa Monica, California has supported musicians and DJs for more than 40 years. Help us continue our music programming by donating whatever you can: kcrw.com/give
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[@mustafa1name]

Femi K leads from the drumkit with tremendous authority, and his brother TJ on the bass adds even more gravitas and bounce. Keys player Joe Armon-Jones is riveted on the drum vibe, but so inventive and free-flowing. With a rhythm section laying it down so solidly, the frontmen have a beautiful wave to surf, and even they do it largely as a honed duet. Rare precision, togetherness and excellence

[@alexking805]

Every version of these songs is a different experience. Generational talents.

[@theinfamouspokeinrichmondc3543]

I had the pleasure to see them this past March in Berkeley, CA. It was an absolute PHOENOMINAL experience to see them live. I am willing to fly to London to see them again. They are worth it!!!

[@DrHeadgear]

Joe Armon-Jones is loving that piano! So different to hearing him on electric keys

[@Nico-ss9lr]

I've listened to a lot of their stuff, but this has to be one of their best performances. The transition in pure shade from the fast paced drum solo to the laid back beat at the end was so good

[@PaulMartin-ut9lj]

I don’t get why there are so few views. They are phenomenal

[@Fonotecaarp]

Come to Mexico!!!!!!!!!!❤

[@aca1193]

I'll second that!

[@LuisMorales-bc7ro]

Mexico needs some of this music

[@wualaguala]

Gigantic band! (the set looks like the Eric Andre show lol)

[@stevecharles3107]

Nothing better than watching incredible musicians working together. Damn this is good 💙

[@fabkebab]

I feel like the film crew realized after the first 2 minutes that they screwed up by not having a camera on the keyboard! What an incredible band!

[@trevordoolan5011]

They're Mighty Stuff... .

[@kayodebeejay]

Amazing!!! Refreshing Afro Jazz...with a flavour of Fela Kuti influence?

[@CrueLoaf]

love these guys...always look like they are having so much fun! Isn't that what music is about? Joy.

[@howardbrown5449]

Thank you Ezra Collective. You guys blow me away! Seeing a band jam like you guys is beautiful music.

[@codedreamer8]

Nice 😎

[@nadirsharav]

Fantastic performance

[@michelleudogu9355]

🎉❤SUCH A BLESSING TO THE WORLD

[@mustafa1name]

"Smile" was a hit for Nat King Cole, and Michael Jackson's favorite song, but don't forget the writer - Londoner Charlie Chaplin

[@Gromabdonj]

Mexico pleaseeeee

[@jeffmiguel]

rad yeah

[@high-quality]

❤️

[@ianbeddowes5362]

I thought great innovative jazz was a thing of the past listened to mainly by old men like me. Then a friend of mine pointed me towards Ezra Collective -- also Theon Cross, Nubya Garcia

[@user-km1rc8jv4k]

Yussef Dayes

[@donniebobb74]

WFMU brought me

[@poeticsun645]

Yah's timing is perfect and your music is phenomenal. I say that accordingly. Yeshua is sovereign. You are pleasing throughout the chambers and alleyways. This is fundamentally correct.

[@penguinfriendguin1182]

Need a kexp !

[@joshuaadelaja9996]

7:31

[@TheRealRealMusicari0]

These fellas didn’t know what they were witnessing

[@ronshina4022]

0:13 Victory Dance (🎹 Latin) 2:48 drum solo 🥁 (Victory Dance) 3:30 piano solo 🎹 (Victory Dance) 8:38 Welcome To My World 11:00 sax solo 🎷 (Welcome To My World) 16:11 Pure Shade 19:06 piano solo 🎹 (Pure Shade) 26:18 Smile 26:33 piano solo 🎹 (Smile) 27:28 sax solo 🎷 (Smile)