First Season

7. Michael Howell

In this episode, young Black autistic singer-pianist Michael Howell tells Jannie about creating original music to break barriers in the music industry and inspire a generation. From his breakthrough piece “Great is The Grief” composed in 2014 to reaching the finals of Channel 4’s The Piano — where Lang Lang called him “a genius… the new Bach” — Michael’s journey is extraordinary. Described by the BBC as “the autistic musician who makes music with his mind,” Michael discusses how his self-taught approach on piano led to a composition style blending baroque, romantic, jazz, and gospel influences. He also shares his experience performing in Japan for national television and his vision for overcoming societal challenges through the power of music.