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British jazz stars Ezra Collective: ‘We destroy any impostor syndrome with our first tune’

The Mercury-winning quintet talk about the youth clubs where it all started – and what we can all do to support the musicians of the future

Then, going around the table, we have keyboard-player Joe Armon-Jones (strawberry-blond mop), trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi (quiet, locs framing his face), bassist TJ Koleoso (Femi’s younger, more relaxed brother) and saxophonist James Mollison, who says little beneath his long curls, but smiles a lot. I love that he’s not that precious with music, and that is something I’m really trying to get into Femi Koleoso on Damon Albarn Joe: “With pop, it has to focus on an individual, but this is a group and as a jazz musician you have to learn how to lead, but then you’re also supporting.” “We went to the Mercury afterparty and he said: ‘Thanks for coming, this is for you guys, this will happen to you soon.’” Moving in nerdy jazz circles, she worries that she’s not up to scratch technically, but Ezra Collective make her feel like she can be on stage, too.

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