George Ezra

Hertford-reared, Bristol-based singer/songwriter George Ezra possesses a deep, resonant, and emotionally weathered voice that, early on, belied his considerable youth. Influenced by similarly precocious troubadours like Bob Dylan and Hank Williams, Ezra was just 19 when he issued his debut single, “Budapest,” an amiable and soulful slice of classy folk-pop that invoked names like Willy Mason, Ben Howard, Ray LaMontagne, and Tom Odell. His 2014 debut album, Wanted on Voyage, soared to number one in the U.K., as did 2018′s Staying at Tamara's. Ezra released his third long-player, the warm and affable Gold Rush Kid, in 2022.
Citing Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and James Baylin as early influences, Ezra released the hugely successful single “Budapest” in 2013. That song, along with three others, appeared on his 2013 debut EP, Did You Hear the Rain? Increased touring and an appearance at Glastonbury preceded his second EP, Cassy O', which arrived in early 2014. “Budapest” was re-released in June of that year, followed a few weeks later by Ezra’s debut LP, Wanted on Voyage. The album entered the U.K. charts at number three and eventually climbed into the top spot by year’s end, earning him four Brit Award nominations and a North American tour supporting Sam Smith in early 2015. During this period, he made his American television debut with appearances on Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, increasing his exposure. In April 2017, Ezra announced a “top secret” U.K. tour, during which he would debut new material. It was accompanied by the release of “Don’t Matter Now,” the lead single from his follow-up LP. A second single, “Paradise,” was released in January 2018 and followed by Ezra’s second album, Staying at Tamara's, in March of that year. Like its predecessor, Staying at Tamara's reached number one in the U.K., and it earned Ezra another Brit Award nomination. It also did well internationally, receiving gold and platinum certification in several European countries. Early 2022 saw the release of the soulful “Anyone for You,” the lead single from his third long-player, Gold Rush Kid. Prior to the June release of the album, Ezra performed at The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration concert. ~ James Christopher Monger