Ezra - EZRA (2024) [Hi-Res]

Founded by award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Jones, EZRA is a collective of classical, jazz, rock, and bluegrass musicians focused on the creation of genre-crossing and style-inclusive new music. Though the instrumentation and personnel of the group fluctuates, EZRA's core ensemble consists of world-renowned mandolinist Jacob Jolliff, banjo virtuoso Max Allard, and bassist extraordinaire Craig Butterfield, with Jones on guitar and keyboard-related instruments.

EZRA’s debut album includes nine works by Jones, and was recorded while Jones was on a one year sabbatical from his composition professorship at Oberlin Conservatory. Jones, who is also a luthier, used much of his sabbatical to build some of the instruments he plays on the album. He then invited longtime collaborator Butterfield, together with Jolliff and Allard, for an intense week of rehearsals and recording in Oberlin. It was the first time all four musicians had been in the same room, much less played together, but making this album felt like capturing lightning in a bottle.

Jacob Jolliff, mandolin

Max Allard, banjo 

Jesse Jones, guitar and piano
Craig Butterfield, double bass

Tracklist:
1.01 - Ezra - Smoke in the Valley (5:14)
1.02 - Ezra - Jarrah (3:55)
1.03 - Ezra - Garden Gate (2:47)
1.04 - Ezra - Contrabuffoon (5:04)
1.05 - Ezra - Banjaleena (4:45)
1.06 - Ezra - Cowboy Walks (4:58)
1.07 - Ezra - The Jolly Jolliff (4:24)
1.08 - Ezra - Beedabumbum (4:25)
1.09 - Ezra - Dix-neuf (3:51)