Nolan Gasser & The Mighty Mighty | Electronic Press Kit

RECORDED AT CAPITOL RECORDS●AS SEEN ON PBS●ARCHITECT OF PANDORA'S MUSIC GENOME PROJECT●RECORDED AT CAPITOL RECORDS●AS SEEN ON PBS●ARCHITECT OF PANDORA'S MUSIC GENOME PROJECT●RECORDED AT CAPITOL RECORDS●AS SEEN ON PBS●ARCHITECT OF PANDORA'S MUSIC GENOME PROJECT●RECORDED AT CAPITOL RECORDS●AS SEEN ON PBS●ARCHITECT OF PANDORA'S MUSIC GENOME PROJECT●

ARTIST OVERVIEW

The man who mapped the DNA of music brings it to the stage.

Dr. Nolan Gasser is one of the most singular figures at the intersection of music, technology, and performance in the world today.

As the architect of Pandora’s Music Genome Project, the most sophisticated music analysis system ever built, Gasser spent over two decades cataloguing the DNA of music itself. Now he brings that encyclopedic knowledge directly to the stage with The Mighty Mighty, a world-class ensemble whose credits span the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Sting, Chick Corea, and George Benson.

Together they deliver an immersive, intellectually alive, and emotionally resonant live experience unlike anything else on the touring circuit.

Dr. Nolan Gasser :: composer / pianist / musicologist / Ph.D. Stanford

THE MIGHTY MIGHTY

Eight musicians. Decades of world-class credits.

Global, sophisticated, and deeply groove-driven. The ensemble presents in configurations from intimate solo and small-group settings to the full eight-piece band, suiting an exceptional range of venues and events. The band likewise records and tours with top-tier vocalists, including Letasi, Etienne Charles, Aymée Nuviola, Malika Tirolien, among others.

NAME	INSTRUMENT(S)	NOTABLE CREDITS
Dr. Nolan Gasser	Piano, Artistic Director	Pandora, PBS
Tim Ries	Saxophones, Flutes	The Rolling Stones, Phil Woods
Matt Szemela	Violin	Sting, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Placido Domingo
Jamey Haddad	Percussion	Paul Simon, Yo-Yo Ma, Joe Lovano
Dimitris Mahlis	Oud, Guitars	A.R. Rahman, Freddy Hubbard, Robben Ford
Eva Scow	Mandolin	Lyquid Amber, Espacio
Carlitos del Puerto	Bass	Chick Corea, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder
Gary Novak	Drums	George Benson, Natalie Cole, Alanis Morissette

PRESS & MEDIA

What critics are saying.

“A work of staggering erudition and breadth… a gateway to music’s exalted state.”
THE ECONOMIST

“Nolan Gasser has an uncanny ability to make the deeply complex feel entirely natural and joyful.”
NPR

“A rare mind that bridges the analytical and the purely musical… thrilling to watch live.”
WASHINGTON POST

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE ::

NPR — Why You Like It book feature and music taste analysis
FiveThirtyEight — documentary Breaking Music Down to Its Genes (2015)
Ars Technica — in-depth feature on the Music Genome Project
PBS — Why You Like It: Decoding Musical Taste series premiere, March 2025

PERFORMANCE CONFIGURATIONS

One experience. Three ways to book it.

Available for concerts, jazz festivals, arts center residencies, university engagements, corporate events, and private performances.

CONFIG. 01

Full Eight-Piece Band

The complete Mighty Mighty in concert with world-renowned guest vocalists. A live recreation of the Why You Like It PBS program is also available.

CONFIG. 02

Chamber Group

Dr. Gasser leads a small group of his Mighty musicians in an engaging chamber version of the live experience.

CONFIG. 03

Solo Piano

Dr. Gasser pairs his musical insights with brilliant solo piano performances for a rich and intimate experience.

LIVE PERFORMANCE HISTORY

At home on the most prestigious stages.

Experienced in concert hall, festival, club, and private event settings. The PBS concert was recorded at Royce Hall, Los Angeles.

SFJAZZ Center San Francisco, CA

Carnegie Hall New York, NY

Kennedy Center Washington, D.C.

Lincoln Center New York, NY

Royce Hall Los Angeles, CA

Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA

ABOUT DR. NOLAN GASSER

A career that defies categorization.

Ph.D. in Musicology, Stanford University. Composer, pianist, musicologist, author, and the visionary mind behind one of Silicon Valley’s most celebrated inventions.

Pandora & the Music Genome Project

Co-founded Pandora Media in 1999 as Chief Musicologist and single-handedly designed the Music Genome Project, cataloguing hundreds of attributes across millions of songs. It transformed the industry’s understanding of musical taste.

Composer & Concert Artist

A prolific composer performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center, with an output spanning operas, oratorios, and concert works. Composer of the Broadway-bound musical Benny & Joon.

Author & PBS Host

Author of Why You Like It: The Science and Culture of Musical Taste (Macmillan, 2019), acclaimed by The Economist, The Washington Post, and NPR. Host of the PBS series Why You Like It: Decoding Musical Taste, premiered March 2025.

THE DEBUT ALBUM

Border Crossing

A bold new voice in World Music Fusion and Contemporary Jazz, performed live on PBS with an all-star band and star guest vocalists.

PRODUCED BYGregg Field (Grammy Award winner)
RECORDED ATCapitol Records, Hollywood
ENGINEERED BYEd Cherney
LEAD SINGLE“Now Is the Time” feat. Malika Tirolien

STAR GUEST VOCALISTS (PBS CONCERT, ROYCE HALL)

Ledisi Grammy-winning vocalist

Aymée Nuviola Cuban singer, pianist & composer

Etienne Charles Trinidad-born trumpeter & storyteller

Malika Tirolien Grammy-nominated, from Guadeloupe

BOOKING & GENERAL INQUIRIES

Bring the experience
to your stage.

inquiry@nolangasser.com

nolangasser.com themightymightyband.com WYLI Experience Booking YouTube Instagram Facebook TikTok

Available for touring engagements, festival appearances, arts center performances, university residencies, and private events. Solo, chamber, and full-band configurations.