‘The Future of UK Jazz’ Ezra Collective Confirmed for Its First Solo Korea Show on October 8

Ezra Collective, a five-piece hybrid jazz band presenting a new paradigm of divine jazz in the UK and receiving global acclaim, is finally coming to Korea. The concert organizer, Private Curve, officially announced on the 18th that Ezra Collective will hold its first-ever solo Korea concert on October 8 at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

■ A Fusion of Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Afrobeat… Changing the Flow of UK Jazz

Ezra Collective is a group that fearlessly combines traditional jazz with a wide range of contemporary music genres such as afrobeat, hip-hop, and punk, delivering the most trendy and dynamic sound. The lineup features Femi Koleoso, drummer and leader, backed by his brother, bassist TJ Koleoso; keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones; trumpeter Ife Ogundjoyi; and saxophonist James Mollison.

They first met through the UK’s youth jazz development program ‘Tomorrow’s Warriors’ in 2012, formed a connection, and then went on to create the band. After that, they made their official debut in the local music industry with their first full-length album in 2019, ‘You Can’t Steal My Joy.’ From the time of their debut, they showcased polished collaborations with top-tier artists such as UK singer-songwriter Jorja Smith and rapper Loyle Carner, quickly earning recognition for their extraordinary talent.

■ The Mercury Prize’s First-Ever ‘Jazz’ Award… The Stars Behind the Record That Shook Wembley

Ezra Collective’s true value was proven to the world through their second full-length album, ‘Where I’m Meant To Be,’ released in 2022. With this album, they achieved an unprecedented record: winning the award in the jazz genre for the first time ever in the history of the awards at the UK’s most prestigious mainstream music prize, the ‘Mercury Prize’.

Their unstoppable momentum didn’t stop. At Wembley Arena, the second-largest iconic indoor venue in London after its size rankings, they successfully pulled off a solo performance as jazz artists for the first time in history. They also took the stage at ‘Glastonbury Festival,’ the main stage of the world’s best music festival, rising as a global band that captured both mass appeal and artistic value.

■ After the May Seojae Festival Solo Stage, Arriving in October as a ‘Complete Team’

For domestic fans, a special preview stage is being prepared ahead of their Korea run in October. At the ‘18th Seoul Jazz Festival 2026’ opening in Seoul on the 22nd, Joe Armon-Jones, the band’s key member and keyboardist, will first come to Korea to present an original solo performance.

Industry insiders said, “Audiences who got a taste of the band’s color in advance through Seojae Festival will pour in in large numbers for the complete solo concert that will be held in autumn,” adding, “Unlike existing static jazz performances, this is the best chance to experience Ezra Collective’s explosive energy—almost like a rock festival—live.” Tickets and booking information for the band’s first-ever solo Korea concert that will heat up autumn nights will be unveiled later through the organizer’s official channels.