U.K. Indo-jazz-funk maestro shares details on ambitious new solo album, upcoming shows with Guthrie Govan
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
June 23, 2025
Shez Raja is an Indo-jazz-funk bassist who has collaborated with global jazz music stars including Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Dennis Rollins, Denys Baptiste, Oren Marshall, Arun Ghosh, Trilok Gurtu, and Wayne Krantz. Shez has released seven albums throughout his career featuring a distinctive blend of jazz, funk, rock, Indian ragas and other influences. His eighth solo album Spellbound was released on June 20, 2025, featuring jazz and world-music luminaries Dennis Chambers, Guthrie Govan, John Etheridge and Roopa Panesar. A native of the Wirral Peninsula in Northwest England, Shez studied music at Leeds College and toured the U.K. before becoming a popular session musician. He has gone on to perform at the Glastonbury Festival and other renowned venues like Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Royal Festival Hall, and the London Forum, along with having toured Europe with female hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte.
Watch our interview with Shez!
