Bobby McFerrin

Birth Name:

Robert Keith McFerrin

Birth Place:

Manhattan, New York, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Actor, Music department

Became interested in music from a young age, since both of his parents were singers, and would often hide under the piano to listen while they coached young singers
Released his debut album in 1982 and began making a name for himself with his 1984 album "The Voice․"
Quote: "I try not to 'perform'․․․I try to sing the way I sing in my kitchen․․․I want audiences to leave the theatre and sing in their own kitchens the next morning․ I want to bring audiences into the incredible feeling of joy and freedom I get when I sing․"
Quote: "Music for me is like a spiritual journey down into the depths of my soul․ And I like to think we're all on a journey into our souls․ What's down there? That's why I do what I do․"
Best known as a musician and vocalist who recorded the hit song "Don't Worry Be Happy․"
Is very involved with overdubbing, which is the process of layering his voice so that it sounds like multiple people are singing together
Released the album "VOCAbuLarieS" in collaboration with composer Roger Treece
Don't Worry Be Happy features eight layered tracks of his voice, with no other instruments or singers
Frequently uses audience participation at his shows, including one demonstration at the World Science Festival that he used to demonstrate the pentatonic scale
Has done collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, and Robin Williams and has appeared on the TV series "The Sing Off" and "Sesame Street․"

Fast Facts