LONDON — Jacob Collier, a prominent six-time Grammy Award winner and a rising star in the modern jazz scene, has taken a unique route in his latest release, “Djesse Vol. 4,” the concluding chapter of his four-part album series.
This installment showcases an array of global collaborations; however, Collier innovatively included the voices of concert attendees in the creation of this album. The 30-year-old artist often plays the role of a conductor during his performances, guiding various sections of his audience to sing parts of his compositions. He strategically places microphones throughout the venue to capture these live contributions.
One standout track from “Djesse Vol. 4” is called “100,000 Voices,” which indeed features contributions from that many singers.
“There are over 100,000 voices on the album,” he explains. “More than 100 of those are renowned artists or participants from choirs and orchestras that I truly admire from every continent. Most of the voices, however, come from audience members during the tour.”
Collier’s imaginative method of composition has earned him three Grammy nominations for the upcoming 2025 ceremony, including album of the year, best global music performance, and best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella.
He has also made history as the first British musician to win a Grammy for each of his first four albums, a remarkable achievement for someone who started his career by sharing music on YouTube, later receiving mentorship from the legendary producer Quincy Jones, which led to the release of several critically acclaimed works.
Despite his accolades, Collier still finds it hard to believe he is once again nominated for album of the year, the most coveted award at the ceremony. His previous album, “Djesse Vol. 3,” was nominated in 2021 but ultimately lost to Taylor Swift’s “folklore.” This year, fierce competitors for the award include Swift, Beyoncé, and Billie Eilish.
“It’s both exhilarating and surreal,” he shares about the recognition he’s received.
Collier describes “Djesse Vol. 4” as a tribute to the beauty of the human voice, stating, “I feel a great sense of pride in what this signifies philosophically, beyond just these specific songs being acknowledged.”
He believes that everyone has the ability to sing and considers himself a “conductor of a choir” amid his audience’s improvisations and collaborative engagements on stage. “I strive to create an environment where all kinds of individuals feel welcomed,” he expresses. “When they feel included, they become part of the music.”
The album features collaborations with a diverse group of artists, including Brandi Carlile, Camilo, aespa, Shawn Mendes, Stormzy, John Legend, Tori Kelly, and Chris Martin of Coldplay.
Now that he has wrapped up the “Djesse” series, Collier reflects on what the future holds. “I’m not entirely sure what’s next, and that’s something I treasure,” he admits. “Sometimes, life calls for those moments of uncertainty. I have countless ideas swirling around, but I haven’t pinned anything down yet because I feel like I need some time to reset and reflect.”
The 67th Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 2, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with the event slated to be broadcast on CBS and available to stream on Paramount+.