Daniel J. Levitin

Daniel is the James McGill Professor of psychology, music, and computer science at McGill University, where he directs the Laboratory for the Study of Music Cognition, Performance and Expertise.

As a musician (tenor saxophone, guitar and bass), he has performed with Mel Tormé, Nancy Wilson, Santana and members of the Steve Miller Band. For his technical and marketing contributions to the recording industry, Levitin has been awarded 15 gold and platinum records, and two of his projects received Oscar™ nominations. He has published hundreds of articles for the general public on music and music technology and is the author of the international best-selling book This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession.

Levitin has served as Vice President and later President of 415 Records (now Sony Music), and helped to form one of the first internet music distribution companies, MoodLogic, Inc. He has also served as a new technology consultant for Microsoft, Apple Computers, Philips Electronics, and the United States Navy.