So great to hear the next generation of string wizards dive in and continue the tradition forward.
This is an incredibly potent album with a high string wizardry quotient and lots of heart. The arrangements are extremely well crafted and though there are passages of high mind-bogglement, there are those reflective tunes that create wonderful introspective landscapes. Everyone gets a chance to swing for the fences, with Max Allard’s brilliant banjo playing acting as the sun at the center of this brilliant, acoustic solar system.
Almost 40 years on from the rise of the new acoustic music movement, there’s still a lot of life left in the genre, and EZRA, on their debut album, have already shown themselves to be in the vanguard.
—George Graham, Mixed Bag, The Graham Album Review
With the eponymously titled EZRA, composer, multi-instrumentalist and luthier Jesse Jones establishes his acoustic ensemble as one of our planet’s premier purveyors of progressive bluegrass…The band’s core lineup…are all superb, award-winning players and scholars, equally comfortable with the cool discipline of the academy and the rambunctious permissiveness of improvisation.
Up there with Béla Fleck as explorers on the outer fringes of Bluegrass.
…there’s definitely more than a whiff of the academy to these pieces — though that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun.
…what may be this decade’s roots supergroup Ezra…Jacob Jolliff impresses any time he puts plectrum to mandolin, and [Dix-Neuf] is a great example. Weird key, weird time signature, shifting tempo …is this one going to be in my year-end favorite jazz or roots playlist? Maybe both!
— Gary Whitehouse, A Green Man Review
I’ve been fascinated by Craig Butterfield’s playing ever since we posted his jaw-dropping “Donna Lee” video. He’s had a few groups over the years, and the latest is what I can only call an acoustic supergroup.
With audacious spirit and inspiration, this dynamic ensemble has created instrumental music that crosses genre lines in a fresh, exciting manner.
— Braeden Paul, Bluegrass Today
★★★★★…their debut album is nothing less than a revelation.
— Robert Silverstein, Roots Music Report
From the "jam band" oriented sounds of Greensky Bluegrass to Billy Strings selling out NBA arenas by mixing the old and the new, string music is having a little bit of a moment right now. This new generation that was raised on first generation masters like Bill Monroe AND second generation masters like David Grisman are now taking flight and incorporating everything from alt rock to classical to hip hop into their compositions. EZRA is one of those new groups helping to take this uniquely American music to new global heights.
— Jason Marck, Radio Z, WBEZ Chicago
…an exceptional first album.
It’s a stunning fusion that shouldn’t really make sense, but absolutely works perfectly, such is the musicianship involved...
—Rick Stuart, Roots & Fusion, UK
However you want to label it, EZRA’s music is of a truly unique beauty and refinement, and their contribution to the “bluegrass revival” is valuable and original.
—Fillipo Ficosi, Kathodik, Italy