FEMI KOLEOSO

A drummer for Jorja Smith and a member of Afrobeat, reggae and hip-hop infused jazz group Ezra Collective, Femi is a beatmaker who knows the power of music.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS IN LONDON?

The Haggerston: Sunday night. Best jazz night in the city. Feels like a rave. Amazing atmosphere, amazing music. It’s so London.

Deptford Market: This really is London in a Street. All the cultures, all the beauty, all the struggle, all the diversity, all the energy. I love it. And unrivalled for fruit and veg.

Happening Bagels: Best bagel shop in the U.K, I don’t care what you’ve heard, this is it. Thanks Dad for the bring in.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE TRACKS OF ALL TIME?

Pure Shade – Ezra Collective

Wrote this song for my A Level homework. It got an E. Then I released it with Ezra Collective and it ended up being one of our biggest songs, played in several adverts and films.

Rye Lane Shuffle – Moses Boyd

One of the most inspirational moments of my career was when this tune made me realise U.K. jazz can take over dancefloors, and the world.

Serious – JME

My first real personal musical taste. Grime. Still know all the words. This is the soundtrack to my secondary school years.

Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense – Fela Kuti

First Fela Kuti song I learnt. It will always be close to my heart. This is the music that made me fall in love with music.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW YOU GREW TO LOVE MUSIC?

My love for music began at church. I started playing drums at 3 years old and shortly afterwards was playing in church on a Sunday morning. I link music directly to worship, joyfulness and dancing.

‘YELLOW SUBMARINE’ IS CELEBRATED FOR ITS MESSAGE OF PEACE, LOVE AND TOGETHERNESS. WHY DO YOU FEEL THIS MESSAGE IS SO RELEVANT?

We live in a world where we are governed by people who are far more focused on the things that divide us. This message focuses on the things that bring us together. Those things are more relevant than ever.

WHAT DOES TOGETHERNESS MEAN TO YOU?

Freedom of expression matched with absolute equality and respect.

WHAT ROLE DID THE BEATLES PLAY IN YOUR LIFE AND MUSICAL JOURNEY? HAVE THEY INFLUENCED YOU IN ANY WAY?

That you can change the whole world with simple songs and good vibrations.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BEATLES SONG?

Hey Jude. John Holt cover of that track made me fall in love with the song writing.

JOY CROOKES

This 20-year-old singer-songwriter from South London is an earnest storyteller and soulful creative force.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS IN LONDON?

The Tibetan Peace Garden, The Gowlett Pub, Maroush Express and South London Gallery.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS OF ALL TIME?

Nina Simone – Four Women

Kendrick Lamar – Institutionalized

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Nothing Without You

The Clash – Guns of Brixton

WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER MUSIC WAS IMPORTANT TO YOU?

When it was all I could think about every time I woke up.

WHAT DOES TOGETHERNESS MEAN TO YOU?

Inclusivity and lack of judgement.

WHAT ROLE DID THE BEATLES PLAY IN YOUR LIFE AND MUSICAL JOURNEY? HAVE THEY INFLUENCED YOU IN ANY WAY?

I think they’ve influenced most musicians who have come after them either directly or indirectly. Their influence and reach was, and is, so powerful. I can definitely see some influence in my more stripped-back tracks and songs.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BEATLES SONG?

Oh Darling.

KEYAH/BLU

An emerging rapper and singer also heralding from South London, KEYAH/BLU’s brand of atmospheric hip-hop jazz is pared back and unexpected.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS OF ALL TIME?

Musiq Soulchild – Sunny (Just Friends)

Denzel Himself ft. KEYAH/BLU – Birdie

Nancy Sinatra – Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)

Finn Foxell – Erricson

All of these tracks have kept me alive in one way or another. They’ve literally all given me a reason to live.

WHEN DID YOU FIGURE OUT YOU HAD A TALENT FOR MUSIC?

I was about 18 or 19 when I figured out I had musical talent, it felt like it came kinda late.

DOES YOUR TASTE IN MUSIC INFLUENCE YOUR TASTE IN FASHION?

I think music and fashion are super synonymous, but feel more and more every day that boundaries are being broken and divides are being blurred between what music you listen to and how you dress.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BEATLES SONG?

Hey Jude. I remember when I was about 10, and I first heard the line ‘remember to let her under your skin’. I cried when it sunk in and also knew at that moment that I couldn’t wait to fall in love.

OSCAR JEROME

Oscar is a multifaceted experimental jazz musician who took his smooth sounds to the stage of our #StellaSpring20 party in Milan last month. It’s a pleasure to have him join us again for our new campaign.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS OF ALL TIME?

Fela Kuti – Water No Get Enemy

While we are on West African musical legends it is a must to mention the great Fela Kuti. This is the first track of his that I heard and was hooked straight away.

George Benson – Billie’s Bounce

My guitar god. I learnt to play one of his solos when I was 15 and from then on I was hooked. This tune contains everything I like about jazz, its swinging, funky and full of interesting harmony.

Donny Hathaway – What’s Going On (live)

From possibly the best live album ever recorded. Everything about it, the musicians and performance, the energy captured by the recording and the incredible audience who can all sing amazingly.

John Martyn – Bless The Weather

This track makes me feel like a hopeless romantic, it fills me with unexplainable emotions. For me he is intrinsically connected with beautiful British countryside.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS IN LONDON?

Balamii Radio, Peckham. I have a show on here and I like to pop in and say hey when I’m in the area.

Earth, Dalston

Jade’s Jerk, New Cross Road

Sounds of the Universe record shop, Soho

Silk Roads Chinese restaurant, Camberwell