Jazzopen: Ezra Collective

At the Jazzopen 2025 in the courtyard of the Altes Schloss, Ezra Collective transforms the historic setting into a vibrant celebration of modern jazz. The Londonbased band fused hard-hitting grooves, Afrobeat, hiphop, and gospel-inflected energy into their signature sound. From the first notes, their rhythm-driven interplay has the audience on its feet, turning the castle courtyard into a dance floor. Drummer Femi Koleoso leads with infectious charisma, pushing the band forward with relentless drive and joyous precision. Each member brings fire: brass lines bursting with urgency, keyboards weaving harmonic color, and bass locking everything in. Extended improvisations keep the performance unpredictable, balancing tight ensemble playing with free-flowing exploration. Their set carries the spirit of community and uplift, reflecting the band’s ethos of joy and resilience. The crowd responds with cheers, clapping along and echoing the band’s exuberant call-and-response moments. It is a concert that feels less like a performance and more like a shared celebration of rhythm and spirit. Ezra Collective leaves Stuttgart with a night of pure energy, cementing their place as leaders of the new jazz generation.