Ezra Collective share fiery new single ‘Ajala’ and announce UK and European tour

Ezra Collective have shared their firey new single ‘Ajala’ and have announced a 2024 UK and European tour.



* READ MORE: Ezra Collective live in London: a landmark moment for the Mercury Prize winners






The blazing new track features rhythmic drums paired with a joyful saxophone and trumpet section and stellar keys and bass line. ‘Ajala’ interpolates the sounds of Afrobeats and Highlife with Jazz.


‘Ajala’ also serves as a nod to the nomadic spirit of the infamous Olabisi Ajala, the Ghanaian-Nigerian world adventurer who ambitiously took on touring the world on his scooter, covering 87 countries.








Speaking about the song in a press release, drummer Femi Koleoso said: “Ajala the Traveller is a journalist from Nigeria whose story is really beautiful. He decided that he wanted to travel the whole world on a moped and what ended up happening was his name became slang in Yoruba.”


He continued: “‘Ajala travel’ is slang for someone that can’t sit still. It’s the way a lot of people would describe me, but for me it’s also what a great drum beat does, it’s what great music does to me, it means I can’t sit still and I just want to move. Ajala is all about that movement.”


The track marks the band’s first release of the year and serves as the follow up to their 2023 Mercury Music Prize winning album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be‘.


Ezra Collective have also announced a 2024 UK and European tour, with the band becoming the first UK Jazz act to headline London’s OVO Arena Wembley in November. General ticket sales will commence on Friday May 3 at 10am. Check out a full list of dates below and visit here to purchase tickets.





Ezra Collective 2024 UK and European tour dates are: 




OCTOBER

15 – Berlin, Astra

16 – Hamburg, Docks

18 – Copenhagen, Amager Bio

19 – Stockholm, Vasateatern

20 – Oslo, Rockefeller

22 – Cologne, Gloria

24 – Amsterdam, Paradiso

26 – Lyon, Transbordeur

27 – Milan, Magazzini Generali

28 – Zurich, Kaufleuten

30 – Paris, Olympia

31 – Lille, Aéronef


NOVEMBER

1 – Brussels, AB

6 – Birmingham, Institute

7 – Leeds, Project House

8 – Glasgow, Barrowlands

10 – Manchester, Apollo

11 – Dublin, 3Olympia

13 – Bristol, Beacon

15 – London, OVO Arena Wembley


In other news, Ezra Collective are set to perform at this year’s Green Man festival as well as MEO Kalorama, Bilbao BBK, and All Points East.


The post Ezra Collective share fiery new single ‘Ajala’ and announce UK and European tour appeared first on NME.


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