Red Hot Chili Peppers Bassist Flea Releases Jazz Debut 'Honora'

The album features collaborations with Thom Yorke, Nick Cave, and more.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Flea, the renowned bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is releasing his debut solo jazz album 'Honora' on March 27, 2026 via Nonesuch Records. The album features an impressive supporting cast, including saxophonist Josh Johnson, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Deantoni Parks, as well as vocal contributions from Thom Yorke and Nick Cave.

Why it matters

This marks a significant departure for Flea, who is known for his pioneering work in the rock genre. The album showcases his musical versatility and his return to his early jazz and trumpet roots, demonstrating his continued artistic growth and evolution.

The details

The album 'Honora' features six original compositions by Flea, as well as interpretations of songs by George Clinton and Eddie Hazel, Jimmy Webb, Frank Ocean and Shea Taylor, and Ann Ronell. The lead single 'Traffic Lights' was co-written with Thom Yorke and Josh Johnson, with Yorke providing vocals, piano, and synth. To prepare for this album, Flea practiced trumpet every day for two years, even during a stadium tour with Red Hot Chili Peppers, his new marriage, and the birth of a child.

  • Flea's debut solo album 'Honora' will be released on March 27, 2026.
  • The lead single 'Traffic Lights' is out now.

The players

Flea

The renowned bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who is releasing his debut solo jazz album 'Honora'.

Thom Yorke

The vocalist who collaborated with Flea on the lead single 'Traffic Lights'.

Nick Cave

The vocalist who is featured on Flea's debut solo album 'Honora'.

Josh Johnson

The saxophonist and producer who collaborated with Flea on the album 'Honora'.

Jeff Parker

The guitarist who is part of the core band on Flea's album 'Honora'.

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What they’re saying

“To make this record, Flea practiced trumpet every day for two years, through a stadium tour with Red Hot Chili Peppers, a new marriage, and a newborn at home. That commitment produced something genuinely moving: a jazz album that sounds like a musician finally doing what he always knew he was meant to do.”

— Eric Alper, Author (thatericalper.com)

What’s next

Flea and the Honora Band will embark on an intimate tour across North America and Europe in May 2026, with stops in cities like Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, and Paris.

The takeaway

Flea's transition from rock bassist to jazz trumpeter and composer with 'Honora' demonstrates his remarkable musical versatility and his commitment to artistic growth, even decades into his acclaimed career with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.