Ezra Collective become first jazz band to win Mercury Prize Album of the Year

Ezra Collective were announced as the overall winner of the 2023 Mercury Prize with FREENOW for their album Where I’m Meant To Be scooping the award and the £25,000 prize money. It’s the first time a jazz artist has won the prize since its inception in 1992, and the quintet beat out bookies-tipped artists such as the Irish drone-folk band Lankum and the rapper Loyle Carner.

Hosted by BBC Music’s Lauren Laverne and guest presenter, Jamz Supernova announced the overall winner on behalf of the judging panel. The event was held at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.

The Judges statement as to why the chose Ezra Collective said: "Virtuosity, community, listening to each other to work out where to go next… who knew that such seemingly old-fashioned values would come to the fore on the winning album of the 2023 Mercury Prize with FREENOW? It wasn’t easy to choose an overall winner from such an eclectic and exciting list, but ultimately the judges were unanimous: Ezra Collective, the London five-piece made up of Femi Koleoso on drums, TJ Koleoso on bass, Joe Armon-Jones on keys, James Mollison on saxophone and Ife Ogunjobi on trumpet are a living argument for putting the hours in, achieving musical brilliance, and tapping into a joyous spirit that ensures their album is as fun as it is impressive. The British jazz renaissance of the past decade has been one of the most significant developments in modern music. Now, ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’, with its touches of reggae, soul, Latin and Afrobeat, its call and response riffs and rhythmic intensity, is a landmark not only for jazz, but for contemporary music in general.”

Where I’m Meant To Be received a 4-star review in Jazzwise on its release, with writer Hugh Morris stating:  “The Londoners continue to shirk labels as they tunnel further into acoustic dance music on their second album. Having ridden out the ‘UK jazz explosion’ headlines, Ezra Collective’s stock is still rising among the more mainstream music community, as the starry guestlist on Where I’m Meant To Be confirms. Zambian rapper Sampa the Great guests on big-hitting single ‘Life Goes On’, NAO and Emeli Sandé both drop by for interesting vocal cuts, and Tony Allen’s declaration ‘I’m playing jazz my way’ (that introduces Kojey Radical feature ‘No Confusion’) neatly sums up the thought-process underpinning Ezra Collective’s 10-year existence to date. At the Collective’s heart is hugely impressive bandleader Femi Koleoso, who switched his usual gig with Jorja Smith to drum with Gorillaz, as you do. ‘Never The Same Again’ is the crossroads where all directions intersect, as the group’s strong, distinct voice continues to grow.”

The Show featured live performances from many of the 2023 shortlisted ‘Albums of the Year’ including Ezra Collective, J Hus, Jessie Ware, Jockstrap, Lankum, Loyle Carner, Olivia Dean,RAYE, Shygirl and Young Fathers. There was a filmed live performance shown to celebrate the albums by Arctic Monkeys and Fred again.. as they are currently on tour.

For full details visit www.mercuryprize.com