Until about three weeks ago, I’d never heard of Jacob Collier. Then YouTube offered up this video.

In this performance at the O2 Arena in London in December 2024, he was joined by Coldplay front man Chris Martin to sing Coldplay’s Fix You. The video has been viewed more than 5.5 million times.

So, who is Jacob Collier (right)? He’s an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and educator. Born in London in 1994, he certainly has an interesting musical pedigree. He is of part Chinese descent through his mother Suzie Collier, a highly acclaimed conductor, violinist, educator, and mentor. And his grandfather, Derek Collier, was also a violinist, and leader of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Jacob has been active since 2002, but it was not until around 2013 that his video covers of songs began to go viral, one in particular.

This was his cover of Stevie Wonder’s Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing, released in 2013, that launched his career. It’s had 11 million views.

He’s a seven times Grammy Award winner. His YouTube channel has almost 2 million subscribers. And he’s about to embark on a world tour of 36 concerts that will finish at the end of October.

Why had I never heard of him? He completely slipped under my musical radar. Not your cup of tea, perhaps. And there’s some of what I’ve heard and seen that’s not for me. But he does have a huge following around the world and plays to packed houses.

And what’s his secret? Here, composer David Bruce explains.

Sharing the emotional impact of one of Collier’s live performances, here is another video by Scottish vocal coach Beth Compson Bradford (aka Beth Roars on her website and YouTube channel), who was in the audience for that December 2024 concert.

His fascination with harmony and engaging the audiences in his performances has certainly captured my attention.

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