MUSIC: Catch a London lad in the Academy

RECOGNISED as one of the world’s most distinctive, inventive and prodigious young musicians, Jacob Collier has been inspired by many sounds.

His music combines elements of jazz, a cappella, groove, folk, trip-hop, classical music, Brazilian music, gospel, soul and improvisation (to name a few), which culminate to create the world of Jacob Collier.

Based in London, Jacob grew up in a family of musicians, and has honed his musical ideas from a very young age.

He has embraced the world of the Internet to share his uniquely creative talent, becoming best known for creating his trademark multi-faceted YouTube videos from his music room at home, wherein he sings all the parts, plays all the instruments, and visualises every component with a mosaic of screens.

Since his first YouTube upload in December 2011, Jacob’s online social channels have garnered over 300,000 international followers and more than 11 million YouTube views.

With viral hits such as his rendition of the Stevie Wonder classic, ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing’, Collier has gained a global following, and some of his greatest fans among the elite jazz community include Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Steve Vai and Take 6, to name a few.

Collier is concurrently working on commissioned arrangements for high-calibre orchestras and bands around the world, traveling to give masterclasses at various schools and universities, and collaborating with many different musicians.

This has including being featured on Snarky Puppy’s Family Dinner Vol 2. Jacob was also involved in Beats by Dre’s Ruby World Cup ‘The Game Starts Here’ television and online campaign, where Jacob arranged and recorded ‘Jerusalem’ as the soundtrack for their spot. The video on YouTube has garnered over 7.5 million views.

Jacob is at The Academy on Thursday, November 23.