Ezra Collective have made history as the first ever jazz band to be awarded the prestigious Mercury Prize for their acclaimed album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’. The victory was announced at a live ceremony at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, where the band beat out competition from fellow favourites Jockstap, Loyle Carner and Young Fathers.
The news has been greeted with widespread celebration, with Jazz FM and Rough Trade both taking to Twitter to congratulate the collective. The Mayor of London’s Culture team also showed their support, as did Chair of the BMA Racial & Ethnic Equality Forum Chaand Nagpaul who shared a clip of the band performing live earlier this year.
Many fans were overjoyed at the win, taking to Twitter to express their delight. One fan wrote: “Ezra Collective winning the Mercurys is SUCH a good result. New London jazz scene has needed some recognition for so long.” Another added: “Yesssss Ezra! Knew you could do it! Congratulations on winning the #Mercuryprize you deserve all the glory for what you do with you music.”
The Mercury Prize judging panel spoke highly of the band, saying: “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 Afrobeats, its call and response riffs and rhythmic intensity, is a landmark not only for jazz, but for contemporary music in general.”
The success of Ezra Collective and their winning of the Mercury Prize is a testament to the growth and development of the London jazz scene. It is a significant moment for contemporary music and a victory that has been celebrated by fans and critics alike.
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