Celebrating a decade since their game-changing debut EP “Chapter 7”, UK jazz’s apogee Ezra Collective threw a hell of a soirée in East London on Saturday.

Every time you see Ezra Collective perform – no matter how bad a day I’ve had, or how little you want to go to a venue or stand in a crowd – you will leave feeling fulfilled – spiritually, sonically, cathartically. There’s not many musical acts that can make you feel like that.

It’s been 10 years since drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison released their lineage-soaked debut EP, “Chapter 7”. In the decade since, they’ve had three seminal albums, lit up festival grounds and dance floors across Britain and the globe, and became the first jazz act to win the Mercury Prize and Group of the Year at the BRIT Awards.

With such a staggering medley of achievements, it feels only right to celebrate Ezra’s rise to being one of the most important acts in the UK. And so, for the tenth birthday of “Chapter 7”, the guys have released a special edition reissue of the five-pronged masterpiece, and this passing weekend (Saturday 18th April) threw a fan-centric intimate show in East London’s Colour Factory. 

This writer has seen Ezra play live more than a handful of times, and it’s no exaggeration to say this was up there with the best. The room was packed with purity, vivacious with vibes. The energy was fuelled by gratuity, by commemoration, by love. There were special guests, gorgeous pieces of improvisation, powerful speeches as ever from Femi Koleoso, who is the kind of bloke we need speaking for the industry and for the nation. 

So, take in this new EP, go and see Ezra Collective live as soon as you can, and be envious that you missed Saturday’s party of the ages. You can ease your fomo below by taking a look inside, courtesy of photographer Adama Jalloh.

Words – Ben Tibbits