The Musical Genius, Derek Paravicini, now in his mid twenties, was born premature, at 25 weeks, and weighing just over half a kilogram. As a result of the oxygen therapy required to save his life, Derek lost his sight, and his development was affected too. It later became apparent that he had severe learning difficulties. However, he soon acquired a fascination for music and sound, and, by the age of four, had taught himself to play a large number of pieces on the piano, of some melodic and harmonic complexity (such as ‘Smoke Gets in your Eyes’). Almost inevitably, with no visual models to guide him, his technique was chaotic, and even his elbows would frequently be pressed into service, as he strove to reach intervals beyond the span of his tiny hands!

Watch all of the 5 videos. He’s amazing!

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Award winning producer and film director Mark Johnson, recorded a guy on his street singing “Stand By Me.” Then he traveled around the world and recorded about 100 other local artists doing the same and he edited some of the snippets of their footage into a video. It’s just too awesome.

There is also a documentary film co-directed by Johnson, expanding on the same idea.

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