One of rock’s most enthralling and legendary bassists is venturing into jazz in 2026. Flea, bassist and founding member of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, has announced the release of his first solo single,” A Plea,” out now via Nonesuch Records.
“A Plea” is the first single off Flea’s upcoming debut album, set to be released in early 2026. For his solo venture, Flea puts down the bass and returns to his first love, the trumpet, the first musical instrument he learned to play. The upcoming album is rumoured to be a jazz-funk fusion featuring a “dream band” contemporary jazz artists.
The track is written and performed by Flea and features double bassist Anna Butterss, guitarist Jeff Parker, drummer Deantoni Parks, percussionist Mauro Refosco, alto flautist Rickey Washington, trombonist Vikram Devasthali, vocalist Chris Warren, and producer Josh Johnson, who also provides vocals and appears on alto saxophone.
Flea, born Michael Peter Balzary, is one of the remaining founding members of Red Hot Chili Peppers alongside vocalist Anthony Kiedis. The rock-fusion band has sold over 120 million records worldwide, merging rock with funk, punk, hip hop and metal. Flea, who was born in Australia and raised in Los Angeles, was raised listening to jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie.
The single was accompanied by a music video, filmed in Los Angeles by Flea’s daughter, photographer and filmmaker Clara Balzary.
Watch the video for “A Plea” below.