"Djesse Vol. 1" is the first of a four-volume album series by British multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier. Released on December 7, 2018, this album was composed during Collier's five-month residency at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It showcases a broad spectrum of genres, including jazz, folk-pop, gospel, soul, classical music interpretations, and other elements of classical and alternative music.
The album features several collaborations with renowned musicians and groups such as Voces8, the Metropole Orkest, and conductor Jules Buckley. Notably, the album mainly consists of orchestral pieces, a stark contrast to his electronically derived music from previous years. It showcases the breadth of Collier's musical abilities, with the artist often playing multiple instruments himself.
"Djesse Vol. 1" was nominated for two Grammy Awards, winning in both categories. It received the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for "All Night Long" and Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for "Moon River." These wins further cemented Jacob Collier's reputation as an innovative, prolific, and highly skilled musician.
