logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2022
56m 9s

Jacob Collier, Part 1

Pushkin Industries
About this episode

Musical genius and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier joins us today for part one of a two-part conversation. In 2011, when Jacob was only 17, he began posting videos to YouTube of himself singing and playing music. His break-out video, a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” received millions of views and praise from musical legends like Herbie Hancock, David Crosby, and Quincy Jones.

Since then, he’s gone on to release five albums, including his 2016 self-produced debut In My Room, and this year's Piano Ballads, an 11-track album of  improvised piano pieces he played at various shows during a recent tour.

On today’s episode, Bruce Headlam speaks to Jacob Collier about making his latest live album, his creative process, and his musical admiration for Stevie Wonder. Jacob also plays piano throughout the two episodes, and breaks down advanced musical concepts.

You can listen to a playlist of some of our favorite Jacob Collier songs HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Aug 18
Interpol's Daniel Kessler
Daniel Kessler grew up between London, Paris, and Washington, D.C., listening to his older brother’s early UK rock records. He picked up guitar as a teenager, the same day he quit skateboarding, and after moving to New York in the late ’90s, he set out to find musicians serious e ... Show More
54m 40s
Aug 11
Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard
Brittany Howard has never been the type to do things quietly. Whether it was fronting Alabama Shakes with a voice that could fill a room and level it in the same breath, or striking out on her own with two solo records that pulled her sound in wilder and more personal directions, ... Show More
59m 29s
Aug 4
Wu-Tang v. Shaolin | From Revisionist History: The Staten Island Problem
In Revisionist History's new season The Staten Island Problem, senior producer Ben Naddaff-Hafrey investigates the story of what was, at the time, the biggest secession movement in the U.S. since the Civil War. The Staten Island Problem reconstructs the battle for New York City a ... Show More
33m 39s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2021
143 - In Conversation with Jacob Collier - Raising the Bar
<p>A Grammy-winning vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Jacob Collier became an internet sensation in the early 2010s with his split-screen cover version of Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely, in which multiple Colliers appear in intricate a cappella harmonies.<br/> <br/> Since the ... Show More
1h 18m
Mar 2024
Jacob Collier unites the world
One of the most inventive and gifted musicians working today is none other than Jacob Collier. Maybe you know him from his YouTube videos, or co-writing SZA’s “Good Days,” or even performing alongside Joni Mitchell at this year’s Grammys. Jacob is a musician with thunderous chops ... Show More
1 h
Jun 2022
Jacob Collier: The Language Of Harmony
Musician Jacob Collier is known for his electrifying performances and thoughtful views on art and humanity. This hour, Jacob joins us for a conversation on the sparks that fuel his creative process. Want to share feedback with our team? NPR is conducting a survey to better unders ... Show More
49m 40s
Dec 2020
Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier's "Djesse Vol. 3" was the surprise of the Grammy nominations, landing a spot for Album of the Year. Jacob is fully aware that other artists were excluded, and he is a fan of both the Weeknd and Lady Gaga, but separate yourself from the blowback and Collier's story i ... Show More
1h 39m
Mar 2024
Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier has been referred to as the Mozart of Gen Z, and has already won 6 Grammys at the age of 29. Today on the show, we interview Jacob about his creative process, dealing with the “genius” label and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
2h 32m
Jan 2024
Jacob Collier
Brightening up our cold January with his fabulous colourful outfit and wonderful positivity was our next guest, musical prodigy Jacob Collier. Jacob and his magical ocarina joined us for dinner, and we learnt all about how he was discovered by Quincy Jones, his unusual rider choi ... Show More
51m 23s
Oct 2025
ReThinking: Permission to play with Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier is a Grammy-winning musician, an exceptional teacher and communicator, and a rousing innovator onstage. Jacob joins Adam in front of a live audience at TED to give an interactive performance and share his perspective on audience participation, his insights on commun ... Show More
43m 28s
May 2021
Grammy Award Winner Jacob Collier on Evolving in Place
Singer-songwriter and producer Jacob Collier grew up producing music in his bedroom. After years of touring the world, the pandemic allowed him to return to that space - to continue developing his genre-bending music. In this episode, the five-time Grammy Award winner shares with ... Show More
16 m