Bobby McFerrin

Bobby McFerrin
McFerrin in March 2011
Background information
Birth name	Robert Keith McFerrin Jr.
Born	(1950-03-11) March 11, 1950 (age 66) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, a cappella, vocal, world, classical, smooth jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, conductor, arranger, producer
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Years active	1977–present
Labels	Manhattan, Blue Note, Elektra, Sony Classical
Associated acts	Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma
Website	bobbymcferrin.com

Robert Keith "Bobby" McFerrin Jr. (born March 11, 1950) is an American jazz vocalist and conductor. He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner, who is known for his unique vocal techniques, such as singing fluidly but with quick and considerable jumps in pitch—for example, sustaining a melody while also rapidly alternating with arpeggios and harmonies—as well as scat singing, polyphonic overtone singing, and improvisational vocal percussion. He is widely known for performing and recording regularly as an unaccompanied solo vocal artist. He has frequently collaborated with other artists from both the jazz and classical scenes.

McFerrin's song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" was a No. 1 U.S. pop hit in 1988 and won Song of the Year and Record of the Year honors at the 1989 Grammy Awards. McFerrin has also worked in collaboration with instrumentalists, including pianists Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Joe Zawinul, drummer Tony Williams, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

As a vocalist, McFerrin often switches rapidly between modal and falsetto registers to create polyphonic effects, performing both the main melody and the accompanying parts of songs. He makes use of percussive effects created both with his mouth and by tapping on his chest. McFerrin is also capable of multiphonic singing.

A document of McFerrin's approach to singing is his 1984 album The Voice, the first solo vocal jazz album recorded with no accompaniment or overdubbing.