Modern Maestro - by Michael Bearden (Hardcover)

About the Book

From the streets of Chicago to the world's biggest stages, Michael Bearden's memoir follows a shy boy who saw music in colors and became a celebrated pianist, drummer, and Emmy-nominated music director. From the Jackson Five's magic to working with icons like Whitney, Madonna, and Lady Gaga, his journey is a symphony of resilience and dreams.

Book Synopsis

Michael Bearden's memoir chronicles his remarkable ascent from a shy, music-seeing boy with a rare gift called synesthesia in Chicago, to a highly sought-after pianist and drummer, shaping the sound of music legends. The book highlights his early musical awakening, from mastering the piano with his "Mom Number Two" and drumming in elementary school, to being mesmerized by the Jackson Five's electrifying performance. This foundation propelled him into a career working with an array of iconic artists that shaped the sound of four decades of music across the world.
The narrative vividly portrays his professional journey, detailing his collaborations and roles as a musical director and performer for global superstars such as Whitney Houston, Madonna, J Lo, Liza Minnelli, Lady Gaga and becoming Emmy nominated for his music direction of the Academy Awards. It's a testament to his unwavering dedication and "excellence" mindset, showcasing how his unique musical perception and relentless pursuit of his craft led him to the pinnacle of the entertainment world. This mesmerizing memoir offers a glimpse into the life of a musical prodigy who not only realized his dreams but also profoundly influenced the careers of many of the most celebrated artists of our time.

About the Author

Michael Bearden is one of the most respected and accomplished music directors in modern music history -- a true maestro whose versatile skills as an arranger, composer, conductor, and keyboardist have made him indispensable across genres, stages, and screens. Rising from the South Side of Chicago, he began playing piano as a child and built a career that spans over 500 artist collaborations, from Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Ray Charles, and Jennifer Lopez, to Lady Gaga -- for whom he has been Music Director since 2013. He also served as the final Music Director for Michael Jackson during the iconic This Is It tour and supervised the musical direction for the 97th Oscars (March 2025).
Bearden has been nominated three times by the Television Academy for Outstanding Music Direction, including for Lady Gaga's 2017 Super Bowl LI Halftime Show -- the most-watched Halftime Show in history -- and for One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga. Beyond live performance, his credits span film, television specials, world tours, award shows, and philanthropic projects. Bearden has also founded TOMiC Recordings to support artistic freedom, scored documentaries and feature films, and continues to shape the sound and soul of popular music globally.