Michael Bearden

Michael Bearden is an American music director, keyboardist, arranger, conductor, and composer from Chicago, Illinois. He is best known as the final music director for Michael Jackson, serving as the musical architect for the This Is It residency and the subsequent documentary film. Since 2013, he has served as the music director for Lady Gaga, overseeing her world tours and Las Vegas residencies. He has received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Music Direction and has served as music director for the 97th Academy Awards and 98th Academy Awards (2026).

Early life Bearden was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. He began playing piano at a young age and developed his skills through the Chicago music scene. Early in his career, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he was discovered by Stevie Wonder, leading to his first major professional opportunities in the music industry.

Career Early work and collaborations Bearden has worked as a keyboardist, arranger, and music director for numerous artists spanning multiple genres. His collaborations include Madonna, Whitney Houston, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Carlos Santana, Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Lenny Kravitz, Destiny's Child, Brandy, India Arie, and Prince. In the jazz genre, he has worked with Rachelle Ferrell, Herbie Mann, Will Downing, Marion Meadows, Regina Carter, and Quincy Jones.

He contributed keyboards and arrangements to Marion Meadows' album Pleasure (1998), serving as arranger and conductor on the project.

Michael Jackson and This Is It In 2009, Bearden was selected by Michael Jackson to serve as music director for the This Is It concert residency planned for London's The O2 Arena. Following Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, Bearden served as music director, supervisor, composer, and associate producer for the documentary film Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009).

Lopez Tonight From 2009 to 2011, Bearden served as bandleader and music director for the late-night talk show Lopez Tonight on TBS, hosted by George Lopez. His work on the 97th Oscars earned him a third Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Direction.

Film and television scoring Bearden's film scoring credits include Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009), American Blackout (2006), High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America (2021), Hip Hop Uncovered (2021), Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only (2023), Outlaw Johnny Black (2023), and Gaga: Chromatica Ball (2024).

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref. 2017 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Music Direction Super Bowl LI halftime show with Lady Gaga 2021 One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga 2025 97th Academy Awards 2026 98th Academy Awards