Ezra Collective’s Where I’m Meant to Be gained the Mercury Prize on Thursday (Sept. 7), making the London jazz quintet the primary jazz act to win that prestigious award. The Mercury Prize celebrates the very best of British and Irish music throughout a spread of latest music genres. This yr’s ceremony was held at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.
Accepting the award, drummer Femi Koleoso stated, “This is not just a result for Ezra Collective, or for UK jazz, but this is a special moment for every single organization across the country, ploughing efforts and time into young people playing music.”
Where I’m Meant to Be, Ezra Collective’s second studio album, was written and recorded in lockdown. But relatively than replicate the isolation of the COVID-19 period, the album has been described by BBC as “a joyous celebration of community, positivity and friendship.”
The album was produced by the band and Riccardo Damian, and incorporates a various roster of musicians, together with Sampa the Great, Kojey Radical, Emeli Sandé and Nao, in addition to filmmaker Steve McQueen.
Where I’m Meant to Be reached No. 24 on the Official U.Ok. Albums chart, a powerful displaying for a jazz album. On this facet of the pond, it debuted and peaked at No. 15 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.
The album was nominated for greatest jazz document on the 2022 Libera Awards. But it attracts on a number of different genres, together with grime, salsa and reggae.
Speaking to BBC News after being introduced as winners, Koleoso defined: “We’re the shuffle generation of music, we listen to some Beethoven, and then 50 Cent comes on straight after, and then Little Simz comes on just after that. And that kind of influences the way we approach music. So, there are no rules. We love jazz, but at the same time we love salsa too, so why not try and get that in there?”
The different albums in rivalry for the highest prize have been Arctic Monkeys’ The Car, Fred once more.’s Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022), J Hus’ Beautiful and Brutal Yard, Jessie Ware’s That! Feels Good!, Jockstrap’s I Love You Jennifer B, Lankum’s False Lankum, Loyle Carner’s hugo, Olivia Dean’s Messy, RAYE’s My twenty first Century Blues, Shygirl’s Nymph and Young Fathers’ Heavy Heavy.
Broadcaster Lauren Laverne hosted the ceremony, which featured dwell performances from 9 of the shortlisted artists, together with Jessie Ware and RAYE.
Last yr’s Mercury Prize winner was London rapper Little Simz for her fourth album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
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