Bobby McFerrin

Bobby McFerrin (born New York City, March 11, 1950) is a jazz-influenced a cappella vocal performer and conductor. He is the son of well-known soloist Robert McFerrin. His song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" (featured in the 1988 movie Cocktail starring Tom Cruise) was a #1 U.S. pop hit in 1988. Despite that, the song is often miscredited to Bob Marley. He has also worked in collaboration with instrumental performers including pianists Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. He is known for possessing a large vocal range of four octaves and for his ability to use his voice to create sound effects, like his recreation of a bass, which he achieves by singing while tapping on his chest.

In 1987, he sang the theme tune to The Cosby Show and soon after also provided the music for a Cadburys chocolate commercial.

In 1993, he also sang Henry Mancini's Pink Panther theme tune for the movie Son of the Pink Panther.

In addition to his vocal performing career, Mr. McFerrin was appointed in 1994 as creative chair of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

McFerrin is the subject of a persistent yet wholly unfounded rumour that he has committed suicide. The rumor was so strong that the official Bobby McFerrin FAQ addressed the question.

McFerrin and his hit "Don't Worry, Be Happy" were parodied on "The Simpsons" as "I'm Worried - Need Money".

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" was again parodied on "Futurama" as "Don't Worry, Bee Happy".

He was shown on the TV show Family Guy falling down the stairs. He also provided the voice of a singing caveman in the episode "The Fat Guy Strangler".

Discography

Solo

Bobby McFerrin, 1982
The Voice, 1984
Spontaneous Inventions, 1985
Elephant's Child, 1987
Don't Worry, Be Happy, 1988
Simple Pleasures, 1988
How the Rhino Got His Skin/How the Camel Got His Hump, 1990
Medicine Music, 1990
Many Faces of Bird, 1991
Sorrow Is Not Forever, 1994
Paper Music, 1995
Bang! Zoom, 1997
Circlesongs, 1997
Don't Worry, Be Happy!, 1997
Mouth Music, 2001
Beyond Words, 2003 - featuring Chick Corea, Cyro Baptista and Richard Bona

Collaborations

Bobby McFerrin & Jack Nicholson, The Just So Stories, 1987
Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea, Play, 1990
Bobby McFerrin & Yo-Yo Ma, Hush, 1991
Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea, The Mozart Sessions, 1996

Guest Appearances

Pharaoh Sanders, Journey to the One, 1980
Grover Washington, The best is yet to come, 1982
Various Artists, The Young Lions, 1983
Charles Lloyd Quartet, A Night in Copenhagen, 1984
Various Artists, A Tribute to Thelonius Monk, 1984
Chico Freeman, Tangents, 1984
Michael Hedges, Watching My Life Go By, 1985
The Manhattan Transfer, Vocalese, 1985
Joe Zawinul, Dialects, 1986
Weather Report, The Sportin’ Life, 1986
Al Jarreau, Heart’s Horizon, 1988
Quincy Jones, Back on the Block, 1989
Laurie Anderson, Strange Angels, 1989
Gal Costa, The Laziest Gal in Town, 1991
Jack DeJohnette, Extra Special Edition, 1994
The Yellow Jackets, Dreamland, 1995
George Martin, In My Life, 1998 - on Come Together with Robin Williams
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Little Worlds, 2003
Chick Corea, Rendez-Vous in New York, 2003
Wynton Marsalis, Magic Hour, 2004

Grammys

1985 "Another Night In Tunisia" with Jon Hendricks
- "Best Jazz Vocal Performance, male"
1985 "Another Night In Tunisia" with Cheryl Bentyne
- "Best Vocal Arrangement for two or more voices"
1986 "Round Midnight“
- "Best Jazz Vocal Performance, male"
1987 "What Is This Thing Called Love“
- "Best Jazz Vocal Performance, male"
1987 "The Elephants’ Child" with Jack Nicholson
- "Best Recording for Children"
1988 "Don’t Worry, Be Happy"
- "Record of the year",
- "Song of the year",
- "Best Pop Vocal Performance, male"
1988 "Brothers"
- "Best Jazz Vocal Performance, male"
1992 "Round Midnight"
- "Best Jazz Vocal Performance"

External links