Transcript Our January Musician of the Month

Our January
Musician-of-the- Month:
Bobby McFerrin
Born: 1950
Singer/Composer/Conductor
Notes in italics are required facts!
Renaissance Man
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Bobby McFerrin is not
just a singer!
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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)
 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.

Bobby’s 7th Birthday Party!
His first major performances:
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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.
He met Bill Cosby, who helped
McFerrin start his singing
career at a 1980 Jazz Festival
at the Hollywood Bowl.
1981 – he gave an excellent
performance at another jazz
festival in New York City.
Bobby’s First Album
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After those very
successful jazz festival
performances, he
released his first
album: “Bobby
McFerrin” (1982).
Most songs were in a
jazz style.
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
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A Cappella: a song with
only singing, no
instruments!
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1983 – 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 !)
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Improvisation
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Improvisation: the
spontaneous creation of
music in a performance.
(You make up the notes
as you go!)
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Bobby McFerrin is famous
for his improvisation
skills!
He was the first singer to
completely improvise his
concerts!
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Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
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In 1988, Bobby released
a new album, called
Simple Pleasures, which
included the
internationally famous
song: “Don’t Worry, Be
Happy”.
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Let’s listen to “Don’t
Worry, Be Happy”….What
instruments do you hear?
Listen
Vocal Layering
How did Bobby create
all of those vocal
sounds for “Don’t
Worry” ?
 He recorded 8
separate tracks, and
put them together!
 It’s all singing by
Bobby, no
instruments!
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Awards
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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”.
The album Simple
Pleasures sold “triple
platinum”!
(3 million copies)
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – His most famous song, that won him many
awards!
After “Don’t Worry”….
Bobby left the popmusic scene in the
1990’s to work on his
unique vocal
compositions.
 He also explored
conducting…
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St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
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As a 40th birthday present to
himself, Bobby learned how
to conduct an orchestra!
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Bobby conducted the St.
Paul Chamber Orchestra
form 1994-1996, and
performed with them as a
vocalist.
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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!
 He performs as a
soloist at many
concerts, improvising
most of the songs,
and involving the
audience!
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“Try This at Home” (DVD)
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Bobby performed this
concert in Minneapolis in
2001!
Let’s watch:
“Try This at Home” and
“In the Morning”
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Live In Montreal (DVD):
“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?
 Do you think the
music was
improvised?
 How did he involve
the audience?
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Music and Kids!
Bobby is a major
advocate for music
education!
 He visits schools, and
works with student
music groups all over
the country!
 His concerts are
enjoyed by musiclovers of all ages!
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Extra facts!
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!
 His recordings have
sold over 20 million
copies!
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Fun Stuff!
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Click here to create your own version of
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” with Bobby using
melody and ostinato!