Ezra Collective announce new album and share single featuring Pa Salieu

London jazz quintet Ezra Collective have announced a new album, Here Because of Hope, out September 18.

They also shared a single from the album, 'Only Love', featuring British-Gambian rapper Pa Salieu.

"Pa Salieu has been a musician that we have long admired in Ezra Collective," said bandleader Femi Koleoso.

"Not just because of his incredible lyricism and storytelling, but also his ability to weave his Gambian heritage and roots into such a distinctly UK sound. In 2024, we had the beautiful moment playing at Wembley Arena, looking out into the crowd and seeing Pa Salieu dancing and partying with his friends, and in that moment, I had the very thought we need to make a song together for this kind of setting."

Here Because of Hope is Ezra Collective's first album since Dance, No One's Watching in 2024. In addition to Salieu, the album features Leona Lewis, Lila Iké, Libianca and Letitia Wright.

In June, Ezra Collective will embark on a tour across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. They will be stopping in Ireland on August 1 for the All Together Now festival in Waterford.

The quintet is composed of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison. They met at a jazz youth programme and formed the group soon after.

Their 2024 single, "God Gave Me Feet for Dancing," was chosen by former US President Barack Obama for the list of his 25 favourite songs of the year. At the Brit Awards 2025, they became the first jazz band to win Group of the Year.