Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea Plays Bass & Trumpet On Jazzy Solo Single ‘A Plea’

Red Hot Chili Peppers co-founding bassist Flea returns to his first instrument, the trumpet, on his newly shared solo single, “A Plea.” Flea has been at work recording a new solo album that Nonesuch Records is expected to release next year.

Flea recorded electric bass, trumpet and vocals on “A Plea.” An impressive roster of musicians contributed to the single, including double bassist Anna Butterss, guitarist Jeff Parker, drummer Deantoni Parks, percussionist Mauro Refosco, alto flutist Rickey Washington, trombonist Vikram Devasthali and vocalist Chris Warren. The track’s producer, Josh Johnson, provided alto saxophone as well.

Flea wrote the lyrics to “A Plea,” which “[reflect] on the divisiveness in our country and our world.” The track will appear on his forthcoming solo album.

“This is a song, the first song from an album that I made that I’m putting out,” Flea revealed. “I’ve recorded something that really is the essence of me, the best of me, and I’m really excited that I’ve been able to articulate the best part of who I am and, my relationship to the world and how I hope for a higher level of discourse amongst human beings.”

The single arrived with an accompanying music video directed by Clara Balzary with choreography by Sadie Wilking. Watch their work while listening to “A Plea” below: