On his debut album Honora, Flea surrounded himself with the cream of Los Angeles’s jazz scene. A quick tour of the musicians without whom the record would have sounded entirely different.
We can never overstate the importance of diving into an album’s credits to uncover, among all those names, the next favorite. That’s exactly what Flea, the bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, did when he sought to reconnect with jazz for his first solo album, Honora.
Listening to Meshell Ndegeocello’s 2023 album The Omnichord Real Book was a revelation for the bassist, a trumpeter by hobby at times. Quick as a flash, Flea set out to identify who was credited on the Grammy-winning album for Best Jazz Album – Alternative. He began by spotting the formidable Jeff Parker, Tortoise’s guitarist signed to International Anthem. Next came the saxophonist Josh Johnson, whom Flea recruited on his record for his producing talents. From these two, he reached out to the bassist Anna Butterss and the drummer Deantoni Parks. All based in Los Angeles, these collaborators share the countercultural aesthetics of the Chicago-based label International Anthem, from which Flea drew substantial inspiration for Honora.
Founded in 2014 by Scottie McNiece and David Allen, International Anthem defines itself less as a jazz label and more as a platform for “boundary-defying music”. Their roots lie in the Midwest’s DIY-punk scene, a background that has shaped their work ethic. The Chicago-based record label champions experimentation and improvisation while aiming to make music accessible to listeners who are often intimidated by jazz.
Josh Johnson
Grammy-winning producer and saxophonist for his work with Meshell Ndegeocello, Josh Johnson helmed the making of Honora. Based in L.A., this compatriot of Leon Bridges shines on the International Anthem label with the group SML, while releasing his solo work on Northern Spy.
Jeff Parker
A historic figure in the group Tortoise, which made its return in 2025 on International Anthem with its eighth album Touch, Jeff Parker brings his spatial sense and seasoned guitar chops to the production of Honora.
Anna Butterss
The Australian bassist based in Los Angeles adds a second bass texture to Flea’s on the tracks of Honora. She is known for collaborations with another prominent International Anthem artist, the jazz drummer Makaya McCraven, as well as with indie-pop star Phoebe Bridgers. She released her album Mighty Vertebrate (2025) on International Anthem, a label where she also contributes to the SML collective.
Deantoni Parks
A virtuoso drummer, Deantoni Parks has also worked with André 3000 on the jazz-ambient album New Blue Sun (2023). His precise and exploratory playing sits squarely within the lineage of adventurous musicians documented by the Chicago-based International Anthem collective.
