Bobby McFerrin

Biography

Robert "Bobby" McFerrin Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor, born on March 11, 1950, in Manhattan, New York. He is renowned for his unique vocal techniques, which include a four-octave range and the ability to create complex musical arrangements using only his voice. His parents were both accomplished singers; his father, Robert McFerrin Sr., was the first African American male to be a regular soloist at the Metropolitan Opera, and his mother, Sara Cooper, was a professional singer and voice teacher. McFerrin's early musical education focused on classical piano and clarinet.

Career Highlights

McFerrin's career as a vocalist began in 1977. He gained significant recognition in the 1980s for his solo vocal performances. His 1984 album, The Voice, was the first solo vocal jazz album recorded without any accompaniment or overdubbing. In 1988, he released the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy," which became a global hit and the first a cappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. This song earned him multiple Grammy Awards in 1989, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Throughout his career, McFerrin has won ten Grammy Awards.

He has collaborated with numerous renowned artists across jazz and classical music, including pianists Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. His 1992 album with Yo-Yo Ma, "Hush," was a commercial success, remaining on the Billboard classical charts for over two years.

Vocal Technique

McFerrin is a master of vocal improvisation, known for techniques such as scat singing, polyphonic overtone singing, and creating percussive sounds with his mouth and body. He often switches rapidly between his modal and falsetto registers to create the effect of multiple voices, performing both melody and accompaniment simultaneously. He also developed a group improvisational singing technique called Circlesongs.

Conducting

In 1990, on his 40th birthday, McFerrin began a second career as a conductor with the San Francisco Symphony. He has since guest-conducted numerous major orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic. From 1994 to 1998, he served as the creative chair of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. His conducting often incorporates his unique vocal improvisations, involving both the orchestra and the audience.

Legacy and Awards

Bobby McFerrin's innovative approach to vocal music has inspired a generation of a cappella singers and beatboxers. In addition to his Grammy Awards, he has received numerous honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the A Cappella Music Awards in 2018 and the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters award in 2020. In 2022, he was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.