Latest news with #EZ
Japan Today
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Ezra Collective's infectious energy defies jazz 'elitism' to win new fans
By Clara LALANNE UK five-piece Ezra Collective has built up a loyal fan base with its upbeat jazz fusion, successfully challenging the genre's "elitism", saying that they embrace everyone. Over the last two years alone, "EZ" has become the first British jazz group to win the prestigious Mercury Prize and have a Top 10 UK album with 2024's "Dance, No One's Watching." Its crowning glory came in March when it was named group of the year at the 2025 Brit Awards, an annual celebration of UK music. "Jazz, when I was growing up, was an expensive thing to tap into. I couldn't afford to get into most jazz clubs, I definitely couldn't afford a drink," drummer Femi Koleoso told AFP at his small music studio in North London, close to where he grew up. "Jazz felt like an upper class, elitist high art form... so we're just making people feel like this is for everyone," he added. The story of Ezra Collective, named after the biblical prophet, began around a decade ago when Koleoso and his younger brother TJ, a bassist, began playing in teenage jazz clubs, where they met keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones and saxophonist James Mollison. They were later joined by trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi. "We learned jazz... but we fell in love with Afrobeat first. That was our first love, and infusing the two was the first sound," explained Koleoso. A decade later, the band, which will play at the Glastonbury Festival later this month, has incorporated other influences such as hip-hop, dub, reggae, Ghanaian highlife music and "most recently salsa music", he said. But jazz still "underpins" everything the band creates, added the drummer. Its danceable and inventive concoction has won fans far beyond jazz's traditional base, helped by the wild energy of its concerts where the charismatic Koleoso, like a preacher, exhorts the crowd to create a "temple of joy". One of the leading groups in an insurgent jazz scene, driven by a new generation of musicians, the quintet surprised everyone by winning the prestigious Mercury Prize for their second album, "Where I'm Meant To Be", released in 2023. The victory "finally acknowledges a golden age for UK jazz", said Guardian music critic Alexis Petridis. "A lot of us have a similar origin story in that a lot of us met in these youth clubs," which, according to bassist TJ Koleoso, have helped make London "the best place to be born in the world" for aspiring young musicians. The thriving community owes much to the "Tomorrow's Warriors" program established by Gary Crosby and Janine Irons. Attempting to address the lack of diversity in jazz, they founded the program in 1991 to provide young people with free spaces to practise, learn to play together and meet artists. It has fostered numerous talents such as Nubya Garcia, Kokoroko, and Ezra Collective, and the band's members now give lessons or donate instruments to the city's clubs, which have seen their numbers dwindle amid spending cuts. "This moment right here is because of the great youth clubs, and the great teachers and the great schools that support young people playing music," Femi Koleoso said at the Brits in March, as his band triumphed against music giants such as Coldplay and The Cure. Devout Christians and fans of Fela Kuti and Arsenal Football Club, the brothers grew up in the north London neighborhood of Enfield. "I grew up next to a Bangladeshi family, my best friend in school was Turkish, I'm Nigerian, my best mate is Ghanaian and (there's) Jamaicans everywhere you go," said Femi Koleoso. "That kind of melting-pot" has inspired "everything I wrote and created", added Femi Koleoso, who also toured with top group Gorillaz in recent years. When Ezra Collective takes to the stage, "the first part of the song will be played accurately" but "the moment the last note of the first part of the song is done, it's just a free-for-all, just see what happens, and long may that continue," said a smiling Femi Koleoso. "I don't know if AI could be doing that gig," added TJ Koleoso, addressing the debate about technology. He insisted that "real, authentic things survive" such upheavals. © 2025 AFP
France 24
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Ezra Collective's infectious energy defies jazz 'elitism' to win new fans
Over the last two years alone, "EZ" has become the first British jazz group to win the prestigious Mercury Prize and have a Top 10 UK album with 2024's "Dance, No One's Watching." Its crowning glory came in March when it was named group of the year at the 2025 Brit Awards, an annual celebration of UK music. "Jazz, when I was growing up, was an expensive thing to tap into. I couldn't afford to get into most jazz clubs, I definitely couldn't afford a drink," drummer Femi Koleoso told AFP at his small music studio in North London, close to where he grew up. "Jazz felt like an upper class, elitist high art form... so we're just making people feel like this is for everyone," he added. The story of Ezra Collective, named after the biblical prophet, began around a decade ago when Koleoso and his younger brother TJ, a bassist, began playing in teenage jazz clubs, where they met keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones and saxophonist James Mollison. They were later joined by trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi. 'Temple of joy' "We learned jazz... but we fell in love with Afrobeat first. That was our first love, and infusing the two was the first sound," explained Koleoso. A decade later, the band, which will play at the Glastonbury Festival later this month, has incorporated other influences such as hip-hop, dub, reggae, Ghanaian highlife music and "most recently salsa music", he said. But jazz still "underpins" everything the band creates, added the drummer. Its danceable and inventive concoction has won fans far beyond jazz's traditional base, helped by the wild energy of its concerts where the charismatic Koleoso, like a preacher, exhorts the crowd to create a "temple of joy". One of the leading groups in an insurgent jazz scene, driven by a new generation of musicians, the quintet surprised everyone by winning the prestigious Mercury Prize for their second album, "Where I'm Meant To Be", released in 2023. The victory "finally acknowledges a golden age for UK jazz", said Guardian music critic Alexis Petridis. "A lot of us have a similar origin story in that a lot of us met in these youth clubs," which, according to bassist TJ Koleoso, have helped make London "the best place to be born in the world" for aspiring young musicians. 'Free-for-all' The thriving community owes much to the "Tomorrow's Warriors" programme established by Gary Crosby and Janine Irons. Attempting to address the lack of diversity in jazz, they founded the programme in 1991 to provide young people with free spaces to practise, learn to play together and meet artists. It has fostered numerous talents such as Nubya Garcia, Kokoroko, and Ezra Collective, and the band's members now give lessons or donate instruments to the city's clubs, which have seen their numbers dwindle amid spending cuts. "This moment right here is because of the great youth clubs, and the great teachers and the great schools that support young people playing music," Femi Koleoso said at the Brits in March, as his band triumphed against music giants such as Coldplay and The Cure. Devout Christians and fans of Fela Kuti and Arsenal Football Club, the brothers grew up in the north London neighbourhood of Enfield. "I grew up next to a Bangladeshi family, my best friend in school was Turkish, I'm Nigerian, my best mate is Ghanaian and (there's) Jamaicans everywhere you go," said Femi Koleoso. "That kind of melting-pot" has inspired "everything I wrote and created", added Femi Koleoso, who also toured with top group Gorillaz in recent years. When Ezra Collective takes to the stage, "the first part of the song will be played accurately" but "the moment the last note of the first part of the song is done, it's just a free-for-all, just see what happens, and long may that continue," said a smiling Femi Koleoso. "I don't know if AI could be doing that gig," added TJ Koleoso, addressing the debate about technology. He insisted that "real, authentic things survive" such upheavals.
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Once-thriving fast food restaurant chain opens its first Texas location in a decade
Krystal has opened its first restaurant in Texas in more than 10 years, marking a major step in its comeback strategy. The new location, inside the EZ Travel Center in Tyler, began serving customers on April 15. It's the brand's first 24/7 restaurant at a rest stop. Founders Rody Davenport Jr. and J. Glenn Sherrill opened Krystal in 1932 after purchasing a Tennessee property for $5,000 during the first years of the Great Depression. The burger joint was thrust into the spotlight in 1954 after a popular DJ ordered 100 sliders for him and Elvis Pressley to hand out to fans outside the restaurant. With guests like then-Georgia governor Jimmy Carter and former President Ronald Regan, Krystal's popularity drastically grew, leading to its first franchise launch in 1990. Known for its sliders and chili cheese pups, Krystal now operates over 300 restaurants — far smaller than rivals like McDonald's. Now owned by SPB Hospitality, Krystal is pushing for expansion. It plans to open 200 more locations in the next three to four years, many in nontraditional formats like travel centers, airports, and convenience stores. 'We'll keep growing with traditional restaurants, but high-traffic hubs allow us more flexibility and efficiency,' said SPB CEO Josh Kern. Krystal is aiming to open 200 new restaurants over the next three to four years Highway 31 Food Service, the franchisee of the Tyler location, also plans to open more restaurants from this 'iconic brand' in Texas. 'We see enormous potential in bringing Krystal to formats like this travel center,' Jagtar 'Jag' Thethy with Highway 31 Foodservice said. 'We're optimistic about what's ahead and seeing where this momentum takes us.' Krystal has faced financial problems over the year, and had twice filed for bankruptcy protection. Its latest bankruptcy was January 2020 after amassing as much as $100 million in debt. However, Krystal exited bankruptcy later that year after it was acquired by Fortress Investment Group, the owner of SPB Hospitality. Sales have bounced back and there are no plan for closures like some rivals. For example, last month J ack in the Box said it would shutter 150 to 200 locations. Krystal has also stayed out of the value meal wars and chicken sandwich wars, and SPB Hospitality modernized some locations by adding digital menu boards and drive-thru lane improvements.
Boston Globe
01-04-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
These food storage containers are easier to organize
The three-piece set includes one 32-ounce container and two 16-ounces (about $45), and are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. They're designed to stack to keep the fridge more organized when storing leftovers. Available at Advertisement Collapsible Drip EZ food storage containers from Second EZ, a company known for barbecue tools and accessories. Second EZ Ann Trieger Kurland can be reached at
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Opinion: Other Texts I've Received From Trump Staffers
I can relate to Jeffrey Goldberg: I have also somehow in recent weeks ended up getting a series of what appears to be authentic texts from White House officials. Honestly, it's a welcome change of pace from the offers I've been receiving about well-paid remote work, missed packages and lines to pay EZ pass toll fees for trips I don't remember taking. The worst part? I keep paying the fees, but the texts keep coming! Crucially, all these Trump staffers and other top GOP officials seem to have mistakenly saved my number as if it was one of their besties' contact info. I'm not mad, as the messages I received made me feel pretty important—and important enough to share with you: From Pete Hegseth to Big Balls—and his assistant Little Balls—who now oversee all messages sent through cellphones in the U.S.: 'Can anyone get me the cell number of that smiling mugshot Georgia co-ed? I'm assuming she's with Cricket.' From Elon Musk to the FDA and Doctor Oz: 'Bad day in stock market. Depressed. Need more ketamine* now.' *Author's note: I find nothing wrong with that because well, I'm in show business. From Kristi Noem to someone (me) she perhaps assumed was Corey Lewandowski and concerning what at first I in turn assumed was some sort of weather advisory: 'The coast is clear*, he's out of town.' *Author's note: I find nothing wrong with that either because, well, I'm in show business. From JD Vance to Usha Vance: 'Please text me back babe.' From Kash Patel to Vladimir Putin: 'Please text me back babe.' From RFK Jr. to all 83 of the 2022 Miss Universe contestants: 'Please text me back babes.' From Mike Johnson to the five members of the National Prayer Council: 'Under HR 5171, from now on all WWJD bracelets will stand for 'What Would Johnson Do.'' From Linda McMahon to the President of Columbia University: 'I know you were 'rassling' with this—LOL WWE joke. Thank u for agreing to all our surrnder terms and I hope your lips are heeling from all that ass kissing.' A second text from Linda McMahon to the President of Columbia University: 'Turns out free speech ain't free if it costs $400 million. LMAO.' A third text from Linda McMahon to the President of Columbia University: 'Happy Pesach, smuck!' From John Thune to someone (me) who he thought was Chuck Schumer: 'Thanks sucker!'* *Author's note: I thought that was elder abuse. From Howard Lutnick to all members of AARP: 'Die you bastards, die*. And then after you die, stop claiming Social Security.' *Author's note: Okay, that is actual elder abuse. From Donald Trump to Charles Barkley: 'How'd you like my biggest most beautiful bracket ever? Got every game right. No other president ever got every team right going into the Sweet 16.' And from the Commissioner of International Territory Acquisitions to Greenland Premier Múte Bourup Egede: '52. naalagaaffitta tikilluaqqusaasuat!' (in English, 'Welcome our 52nd state!') I hope now that this has gone public that these texts will stop. Except the ones from Linda McMahon. All her typos are cute.
