Our January Musician-of-the- Month: Bobby McFerrin Born: 1950 Singer/Composer/Conductor Notes in italics are required facts!

Renaissance Man Bobby McFerrin is not just a singer! Bobby McFerrin is not just a singer! He is a vocal explorer who has combined jazz, folk, world music, choir music, a cappella, and classical music with his own unique ingredients. He is a vocal explorer who has combined jazz, folk, world music, choir music, a cappella, and classical music with his own unique ingredients.

Bobby’s Childhood Born in New York City in 1950, both of his parents were classical singers (opera) Born in New York City in 1950, both of his parents were classical singers (opera) He started studying music theory at age 6. (His family moved to L.A. that same year.) He started studying music theory at age 6. (His family moved to L.A. that same year.) In high school and college, piano was his main instrument. In high school and college, piano was his main instrument. Bobby’s 7 th Birthday Party!

His first major performances: After college, he toured with a few different music groups, dance groups, and even ice shows! After college, he toured with a few different music groups, dance groups, and even ice shows! In 1977 (he was 27), he was inspired to become a singer. In 1977 (he was 27), he was inspired to become a singer. He met Bill Cosby, who helped McFerrin start his singing career at a 1980 Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. He met Bill Cosby, who helped McFerrin start his singing career at a 1980 Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl – he gave an excellent performance at another jazz festival in New York City – he gave an excellent performance at another jazz festival in New York City.

Bobby’s First Album After those very successful jazz festival performances, he released his first album: “Bobby McFerrin” (1982). After those very successful jazz festival performances, he released his first album: “Bobby McFerrin” (1982). Most songs were in a jazz style. Most songs were in a jazz style. The album showed off his 4-octave vocal range. The album showed off his 4-octave vocal range.

A 5-Octave Keyboard Octave : The distance from “Do” to the next “Do” (up or down a distance of 8 notes) Bobby McFerrin can sing notes from 4 octaves! Most people can only sing 2 octaves!

A Cappella A Cappella: a song with only singing, no instruments! A Cappella: a song with only singing, no instruments! 1983 – Bobby started performing concerts as an “a cappella” singer – Bobby started performing concerts as an “a cappella” singer. He went on a solo tour of Germany were the live album “The Voice” was recorded (it was all improvised !) He went on a solo tour of Germany were the live album “The Voice” was recorded (it was all improvised !)

Improvisation Improvisation: the spontaneous creation of music in a performance. (You make up the notes as you go!) Improvisation: the spontaneous creation of music in a performance. (You make up the notes as you go!) Bobby McFerrin is famous for his improvisation skills! Bobby McFerrin is famous for his improvisation skills! He was the first singer to completely improvise his concerts! He was the first singer to completely improvise his concerts!

Don’t Worry, Be Happy! In 1988, Bobby released a new album, called Simple Pleasures, which included the internationally famous song: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. In 1988, Bobby released a new album, called Simple Pleasures, which included the internationally famous song: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. Let’s listen to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”….What instruments do you hear? Let’s listen to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”….What instruments do you hear? Listen Listen Listen

Vocal Layering How did Bobby create all of those vocal sounds for “Don’t Worry” ? How did Bobby create all of those vocal sounds for “Don’t Worry” ? He recorded 8 separate tracks, and put them together! He recorded 8 separate tracks, and put them together! It’s all singing by Bobby, no instruments! It’s all singing by Bobby, no instruments!

Awards At the 1988 Grammy Awards, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” won “Best Song of the Year”. At the 1988 Grammy Awards, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” won “Best Song of the Year”. Bobby also won awards for “Best Album of the Year”, and “Best Pop Vocal Performance”. Bobby also won awards for “Best Album of the Year”, and “Best Pop Vocal Performance”. The album Simple Pleasures sold “triple platinum”! The album Simple Pleasures sold “triple platinum”! (3 million copies) (3 million copies) “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – His most famous song, that won him many awards!

After “Don’t Worry”…. Bobby left the pop- music scene in the 1990’s to work on his unique vocal compositions. Bobby left the pop- music scene in the 1990’s to work on his unique vocal compositions. He also explored conducting… He also explored conducting…

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra As a 40 th birthday present to himself, Bobby learned how to conduct an orchestra! As a 40 th birthday present to himself, Bobby learned how to conduct an orchestra! Bobby conducted the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra form , and performed with them as a vocalist. Bobby conducted the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra form , and performed with them as a vocalist. Bobby and the SPCO released the album, “Paper Music” (1995), his first classical album. Bobby and the SPCO released the album, “Paper Music” (1995), his first classical album.

1990’s-2000’s Bobby continued to release many albums showcasing his amazing vocals! Bobby continued to release many albums showcasing his amazing vocals! He performs as a soloist at many concerts, improvising most of the songs, and involving the audience! He performs as a soloist at many concerts, improvising most of the songs, and involving the audience!

“Try This at Home” (DVD) Bobby performed this concert in Minneapolis in 2001! Bobby performed this concert in Minneapolis in 2001! Let’s watch: Let’s watch: “Try This at Home” and “Try This at Home” and “In the Morning” “In the Morning” Live In Montreal (DVD): Live In Montreal (DVD): “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and “The Wizard of Oz” Medley. “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and “The Wizard of Oz” Medley. At home: find some videos of Bobby on the Internet, with a parent’s help!

Bobby “In Concert” Did you notice anything unusual about what Bobby was wearing? Did you notice anything unusual about what Bobby was wearing? Do you think the music was improvised? Do you think the music was improvised? How did he involve the audience? How did he involve the audience?

Music and Kids! Bobby is a major advocate for music education! Bobby is a major advocate for music education! He visits schools, and works with student music groups all over the country! He visits schools, and works with student music groups all over the country! His concerts are enjoyed by music- lovers of all ages! His concerts are enjoyed by music- lovers of all ages!

Extra facts! Bobby has won 10 Grammy awards for his music. Bobby has won 10 Grammy awards for his music. As a child, his first instrument was the clarinet, but he had to switch to piano when he got braces! As a child, his first instrument was the clarinet, but he had to switch to piano when he got braces! His recordings have sold over 20 million copies! His recordings have sold over 20 million copies!

Fun Stuff! Click here to create your own version of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” with Bobby using melody and ostinato! Click here to create your own version of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” with Bobby using melody and ostinato! Click here to create your own version of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” with Bobby using melody and ostinato! Click here to create your own version of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” with Bobby using melody and ostinato!