Finding success and community as the trumpeter of the UK’s favourite jazz quintet, Ezra Collective, Ife Ogunjobi is showing his artistic vision to be both unique and collective with a new solo EP, “Tell Them, I’m Here”.

A man leaning into a trumpet solo. A young boy sat against a wall, looking at the instrument adoringly. It’s a picture of the power that music can have across generations – it’s also the cover photo for “Tell Them, I’m Here”, the sophomore solo EP from Ezra Collective’s trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi.

As the heart of Britain’s most celebrated jazz band, Ogunjobi understands what it means to nurture a gift over time; his trajectory is proof of the devotion it demands. Yet within the spotlight he shares with his dazzlingly creative peers – a brotherhood whose genre-defying brilliance earned them the 2023 Mercury Prize for Where I’m Meant To Be – it’s only natural that he steps into a space of his own. His latest project does exactly that, carving out a sonic world that reflects not only the musician he has become, but the one he’s still evolving into.

Ife speaks with Wonderland about stepping into his own artistic light, the sounds and stories behind the EP, and how he continues to evolve beyond the brilliance of Ezra Collective.

Where did your love of the trumpet first stem from?

I’ve been playing music since I was really young, but I wasn’t introduced to the trumpet until a little later. When I was around 10, I saw Hugh Masekela perform live, and the sound and energy of his trumpet spoke to me. At the time, I’d never heard anything like it – it felt like I could hear him speak through the instrument. From that moment, I knew I wanted to learn the trumpet, and the rest is history.

How do you reflect on the rise of Ezra Collective? 

I’ve learnt so much from being part of the band. All the shows, experiences, and places we’ve travelled to have opened my eyes to things I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. Now, I take all of that and use it as fuel in my own music – it pushes me to take it as far as I can. I joined the band six years ago, and in that time, I’ve seen so many people resonate with instrumental music. So it gives me confidence when releasing my own work, knowing there are people out there who love the kind of music I create.

The group has had such a huge impact on popular culture and jazz’s popularity – what do you think it is about Ezra that inspires and interests so widely? 

I think it’s the energy on stage that draws people to Ezra Collective. People always tell us how the shows make them feel, the energy that it leaves them with, and those memories become attached to the music itself. That’s something I carry into my own shows, too. I try to tell a story through the music, but I also want it to be a space for escapism. I want people to come to my shows, forget the negativity in their lives, and feel free.

How has your time with Ezra influenced you as a solo artist? 

It’s taught me that, as well as having a voice within a band, I also have a voice as an individual. There are a lot of similarities between Ezra’s music and mine, but if you listen closely, they’re very different worlds. When you listen to my solo music, you hear another side of me that you don’t hear within the band. I think that’s the beauty of being in different environments – it changes how you think, and naturally affects how the music sounds.

Congratulations on the new EP! How are you feeling now that it’s out in the world?

It feels amazing to finally have the EP out in the world. The messages and support I’ve received mean so much because people are connecting with it in ways that mean something to them. When you make art, you spend so much time in your own bubble trying to tell a story. Once it’s finished and you share it, you just hope it resonates. I’ve always felt that art exists to help us through the difficult moments and makes the good ones even better. So hearing that my music is doing that for people means everything.

What’s the story behind the title, “Tell Them, I’m Here”? 

The title came from a place of confidence in who I am and the music I was making. I felt like it was a true reflection of me, and I didn’t want to shy away from that. Putting this music out is my way of telling the world who I am and what I stand for. It’s definitely a development from my first EP, and the theme of self-assurance is central. That’s the heart of the record.

How is the work a progression from the previous project, “STAY TRUE”?

Sonically, this project puts much more emphasis on production, which I felt was missing from Stay True. The production on this EP speaks to the kind of music I’m actually inspired by and listen to: Afrobeats, UK rap, hip-hop, genres that are heavy on production. I wanted to incorporate that into this record and find the balance between songs you’d want to hear on a night out, paired with improvisation. Tell Them I’m Here shows growth and maturity. “Stay True” felt like the introduction; this feels like I’m really cementing myself.

The project merges an array of genres – from Fuji to Afrobeat to jazz. But what lies at the core? What is the central essence?

At the core of everything is me, my sound, my identity, my voice. Across all the genres and influences, the thing that ties it together is me being true to myself. That meant creating a project that combined all those genres. They all shaped me, so naturally I wanted that to come out in the music. No matter the genre or direction I take, the unifying factor is my voice speaking through the horn. That’s the essence of my sound: to communicate who I am.

There’s a wonderful Samm Henshaw feature – how did that collaboration come about?

Me and Samm have been friends for a few years now, and we’ve played together at a couple of his shows. He’s a very versatile artist and had such a unique sound, so when I was making “Cali,” I knew I wanted someone who could bring a different angle to the track. I wanted to collaborate with Samm because I knew he’d add to the song in the right way,  but I had no idea what direction he’d take because he can do so much. He ended up rapping, which was special because it feels like this track brings out a version of him we don’t usually hear. It’s definitely a standout on the project for me.

What do you want listeners to take away from the EP? What does it mean to you?

I really want people to feel empowered to be the most unapologetic version of themselves. These days, we’re so focused on what others are doing or how we’re being perceived. We chase approval, and we lose sight of who we actually are. This EP is about returning to your true self regardless of how others see you – hence the title. That’s my dream for listeners: that they feel confident being who they are instead of fitting into the expectations of others.

What does 2026 look like for you?

Next year will hopefully be another busy one. I want to travel as much as possible and perform my music everywhere. I want to continue writing and releasing work that means something to me and tells my story. I also want to spend more time in Nigeria. I love going back home, so more trips are definitely on the cards. Most importantly, I just want to enjoy my life.