Jacob Collier Pitch Perfect

JACOB COLLIER IS A musical universe unto himself. Have you watched his “Moon River” video? At times there are more than two dozen Jacobs on the screen harmonizing together.

Collier brings his one-man-show to the Center for the Jacob Collier DJESSE World Tour. Collier is 27 and has won five Grammy Awards. Many of the videos he is famous for were written, performed, and produced in his childhood bedroom at the house in north London where he still lives with his parents.

Online, self-described “weirdo” Collier creates his musical world by utilizing split screens and multiple soundtracks. Technology is the key to recreating this on stage. He worked with Ben Bloomberg at MIT Media Lab to make the hardware and software needed for a live performance. While he plays multiple instruments on stage, he also uses a custom-built “Harmonizer” instrument invented by the two that allows Collier to perform the multivoiced harmonies seen on his Youtube videos. But his harmonizing ability is the real thing. Collier has what is called absolute pitch: a rare ability to recognize musical notes by ear. This enables him to sing a cappella with himself and hit the right notes every time.

At home he was surrounded by music. His mother is a violinist, conductor and professor at the Royal Academy of Music’s Junior Academy. Collier grew up playing keyboards, drums, guitar and bass and his music is influenced by almost every type of music you can think of. “I love all music,” he told the BBC News. “It’s one massive language.” He has played with a wide variety of artists, including Coldplay and Pharrell Williams. “I’ve loved the experience of learning how to shapeshift my universe and incorporate different people’s styles.”

He says the U.S. has really embraced his talents. “I did this one-man show surrounded by musical instruments, running between them all, and I think something about me having made my own universe and sharing it with people hit a nerve,” he told The Guardian (UK). Get your tickets and get your voice ready. As part of his energetic shows, he often conducts the audience to sing multiple-part harmonies with him!

SEGERSTROM HALL Date: April 10 | Tickets: $39 and up