Flea unveils details of debut jazz album
Listen to 'Traffic Lights'
Red Hot Chili Peppers superstar bassist Flea has unveiled the details for his debut solo jazz album, set to be titled ‘Honora’ and released Friday 27th March 2026 via Nonesuch Records.
The 10-track record boasts last December’s lead single ‘A Plea’ and its follow-up ‘Traffic Lights’ featuring Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke.
Alongside six original tracks, ‘Honora’ also features jazz covers of Funkadelic's ‘Maggot Brain’, Jimmy Webb's ‘Wichita Lineman’, Ann Ronell’s ‘Willow Weep for Me’, and Frank Ocean's ‘Thinkin Bout You’, plus a song with Nick Cave.
Flea composed and arranged the music on ‘Honora’ – named after a beloved family member - and he also plays trumpet and bass throughout.
He’s flanked by an elite crew of modern jazz visionaries: album producer and saxophonist Josh Johnson, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Deantoni Parks.
Commenting on how his former Atoms for Peace bandmate Thom Yorke came to contribute vocals, piano and synths to ‘Traffic Lights’, Flea said: “Deantoni and I played what became ‘Traffic Lights’ the first day. Something about it reminded me of Atoms for Peace, so I sent it to Thom.
“Just knowing him, I thought it would be a rhythm and a sensibility that he would relate to. And I was right, he did. With a gorgeous melody and the words, you know, about living in the ‘upside down’ and how do you make sense of things when we’re getting all this fake s--- and real s---?
“Everyone has their ways of dealing with the world. But he’s just the warmest, free flowing, jamming mother----er.”
Flea's debut UK show:
Following the release of ‘Honora’, Flea will embark on a 10-date May 2026 tour with the Honora Band visiting relatively intimate venues in the United States, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, the UK and France.
Flea’s UK show takes place at London’s KOKO on Tuesday 26th May, with tickets on sale at 10am on Friday 23rd January.