It was an electrifying evening at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Oct. 18, when British musician and singer-songwriter Jacob Collier brought his invigorating enthusiasm and exceptional musical forte to the University of Connecticut. Collier, a 15-time Grammy nominee and seven-time Grammy winner, performed to an audience of both UConn students and community members, young and old, in a three-hour long performance featuring songs played on piano, double bass, acoustic and electric guitars and violin.
Described by The New York Times as “the colorful Mozart of Gen Z,” Collier has wowed millions across the globe with his musical renditions of both old timely classics and creative, original pieces that reflect his talent as a singer-songwriter and his passion for crafting. He has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Quincy Jones, John Mayer, Shawn Mendes, Joni Mitchell and Coldplay. In addition to his numerous Grammy wins, Collier is also the recipient of the 2019 PRS For Music Gold Award and the Digital Initiative of the Year Award.
Throughout the show, Collier made use of the “call and response” interaction with the audience, singing different lyrics of various songs at different notes and encouraging the audience to sing them back. Some of the tunes Collier performed included a rendition of “Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin, “Norwegian Wood” by The Beatles, “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve and “Human Nature” off Michael Jackson’s 1982 album “Thriller.” Collier also performed a track off of his new album, “The Light For Days,” released just two days before his performance, called “I Know (A Little).”
Between sets, Collier spoke of his love for songwriting and his origins of recording songs at his family’s home in North London. He forged a special bond with the late record producer and composer Quincy Jones after Jones viewed some of Collier’s viral YouTube videos online. Collier said that Jones was his idol and mentor growing up.
“As a child, I was told by teachers in school that things had to be done a certain way,” Collier said. “But when I asked Quincy Jones what the important thing was for my success, he told me to do my own thing. And that’s what I’ve been doing for my entire career, basically.”
Collier also credited his success to his mother, Suzie Collier, a prominent conductor, violinist and music educator.
“I have the most amazing mother,” Collier said. “There was no strictness in our house growing up and she always encouraged us to do our own thing our own way.”
In the middle of the performance, Collier was asked to sign an album by a young fan, who asked to go by his first name, Michael.
“I thought it was super kind of him to agree to sign my copy of his album,” he said after the performance concluded. “It was really cool getting to go up stage and talk to him for that brief period of time.”
Overall, Collier’s performance was a smashing success, bringing laughter, joy and entertainment to many.
Featured photo from Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts