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Bobby McFerrin | |
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 McFerrin in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. |
| Born | March 11, 1950 New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, percussion, vocal percussion |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | bobbymcferrin |
Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. (born March 11, 1950)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, and conductor. His vocal techniques include 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 performs and records regularly as an unaccompanied solo vocal artist. He has frequently collaborated with other artists from both the jazz and classical scenes.[2]
McFerrin's song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" is the only acapella track to ever reach No. 1 in the US, which it reached in 1988 and additionally won Song of the Year and Record of the Year honors at the 1989 Grammy Awards.[3] McFerrin has also worked in collaboration with jazz fusion instrumentalists including pianists Chick Corea (of Return to Forever), Herbie Hancock (of The Headhunters), and Joe Zawinul (of Weather Report), drummer Tony Williams, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.[2]
- ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (May 27, 2011). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th Concise ed.). Omnibus Press. pp. 1978–1980. ISBN 978-0-8571-2595-8. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
- ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ Golsen, Tyler (September 25, 2022). "The only song to reach #1 in America without any instruments". Far Out. Retrieved August 9, 2024.