Биография Бобби Макферрина

Бобби Мак Феррина, джазового вокалиста, дирижера оркестра и талантливейшего пианиста, в России знают преимущественно по его платиновому синглу 'Don't Worry Be Happy'. Однако этот виртуоз вокала издал в своей жизни более 20 дисков, в записи которых он использовал только один инструмент - собственный голос.

Circle Songs - одна из наиболее интересных его работ. Бобби родился 11.03.1950 году в Нью-Йорке. Долгое время он работал в кабаре, пел софт-джаз и писал музыку к бродвейским спектаклям, попутно совершенствуя свою вокальную технику. Сольную карьеру Макферрин начал в 1977-м, и постепенно делом его жизни стало возрождение искусства пения a cappella.

Когда вы слышите записи Бобби, у вас часто создается обманчивое впечатление, что поет не один человек, а два, три и более, да еще и в сопровождении перкуссии. С альбомом 'Simple Pleasures' и видеоклипом на 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' оркестр, состоящий из одного человека, достиг мировой славы. И тут оказалось, что петь вместе с Бобби хотели бы многие, многие талантливые люди. Так родился Voicestra - знаменитый вокальный оркестр Макферрина, мобильный состав из 8-9 певцов.

Если вы любите музыку необычную во всех отношениях, то лучшим подарком для вас станет венец творчества Бобби и компании - Circle Songs, записанный благодаря счастливому стечению обстоятельств: "просто нам попалась свободная студия, а у всех было время". Интересен этот диск, прежде всего, тем, что на нем зафиксированы несколько десятков минут чистейшей импровизации. Но какой!.. У альбома нет основной темы: Бобби на ходу строит каждую новую вещь "с нуля" как ведущий вокалист, а остальной народ развивает тему. Постепенно в процесс импровизации втягиваются все участники записи. "Circle songs", разумеется, наследует основные качества традиционных работ Макферрина, однако здесь, помимо своего голоса, певец еще использует дополнительные голоса, а также щелчки шлепки ладоней, цоканье языком.

Импровизация, введение специфических вокальных ходов - фирменный знак Макферрина, поможенный на радость общения с себе подобными. Песня создается из ничего - кажется, что это происходит прямо сейчас, в тот момент, пока мы ее слушаем. Уникальный дух джазового концерта со всеми присущими ему элементами: импровизацией, игрой, юмором и теплотой - зафиксирован в одном альбоме. После издания этого диска, попавшего в Top-50 журнала Биллборд, Бобби долгое время не издавал нового материала - словно давая нам возможность очнуться от восхищения...

Short Bio

Bobby McFerrin is one of the natural wonders of the music world. A ten-time Grammy Award winner, he is one of the world's best-known vocal innovators and improvisers, a world-renowned classical conductor, the creator of "Don't Worry Be Happy", one of the most popular songs of the late 20th century, and a passionate spokesman for music education. His recordings have sold over 20 million copies, and his collaborations including those with with Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, the Vienna Philharmonic, and Herbie Hancock have established him as an ambassador of both the classical and jazz worlds.

With a four-octave range and a vast array of vocal techniques, McFerrin is no mere singer; he is music's last true Renaissance man, a vocal explorer who has combined jazz, folk and a multitude of world music influences - choral, a cappella, and classical music - with his own ingredients. As a conductor, Bobby is able to convey his innate musicality in an entirely different context. He has worked with such orchestras as the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic.

'Unconventional' is a good way to describe the career of Bobby McFerrin. Those familiar with McFerrin's shows, whether as a conductor or a vocalist, know that each one is a unique event that resonates with the unexpected. He is that rare artist who has the ability to reach beyond musical genres and stereotypes for a sound that is entirely his own. As one of the foremost guardians of music's rich heritage, he remains at the vanguard with his natural, beautiful and timeless music that transcends all borders and embraces all cultures.

Short Conducting Bio

Bobby McFerrin is one of the natural wonders of the music world. A ten-time Grammy Award winner, he is one of the world's best-known vocal innovators and improvisers, a world-renowned classical conductor, the creator of "Don?t Worry Be Happy", one of the most popular songs of the late 20th century, and a passionate spokesman for music education. His recordings have sold over 20 million copies, and his collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, the Vienna Philharmonic, and Herbie Hancock have established him as an ambassador of both the classical and jazz worlds.

With a four-octave range and a vast array of vocal techniques, McFerrin is no mere singer; he is music's last true Renaissance man, a vocal explorer who has combined jazz, folk and a multitude of world music influences - choral, a cappella, and classical music - with his own ingredients. As a conductor, Bobby is able to convey his innate musicality in an entirely different context. In addition to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, he has worked frequently with such orchestras as the London Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, where he held the post of Creative Chair.

?Unconventional? is a good way to describe the career of Bobby McFerrin. Those familiar with McFerrin's shows, whether as a conductor or a vocalist, know that each one is a unique event that resonates with the unexpected. He is that rare artist who has the ability to reach beyond musical genres and stereotypes for a sound that is entirely his own. As one of the foremost guardians of music's rich heritage, he remains at the vanguard with his natural, beautiful and timeless music that transcends all borders and embraces all cultures.

Voicestra Bio

Comprised of twelve uniquely gifted singers with broad stylistic experience ranging from jazz to R&B to Indian classical opera, Voicestra serves as a rich compositional palate for Bobby McFerrin?s expeditions into the musical universe. Bobby founded Voicestra in 1986 to explore interactive group singing in his performances, and it has since evolved into a medium for deeply spiritual and powerful improvisations. Voicestra is not just a choir, but a flexible and richly textured instrument through which Bobby can experiment with and express his unique vocal style and musical stream of consciousness. The music is entirely improvised and captures everything in the performance: the day, the time, the theater, the audience. Melodies, rhythms and textures traverse from singer to singer, perpetually morphing in reaction to the moment and Bobby?s instincts. For many audiences, a Voicestra performance is akin to a religious experience, providing them the rare opportunity to witness as well as participate in a musical celebration of spontaneity.

Voicestra is:

Nicolas Bearde
Joey Blake
Pierre Cook
Julee Cruise
Judi Donaghy
Sussan Deyhim
Kirsten Falke-Boyd
Rhiannon
Marlon Saunders
Janis Siegel
Roger Treece
Dave Worm

Beyond Words

1. Invocation
2. Kalimba Suite
3. A silken Road
4. Fertile Field
5. Dervishes
6. Ziggurat
7. Sisters
8. Circlings
9. Chanson
10. Windows
11. Marlowe
12. Mass
13. Pat & Joe
14. Taylor Made
15. A Piece, A Chord
16. Monks/The Shepherd

Beyond Words

Blue Note, 2002

Beyond Words is where Bobby finds the magic in music, and that is the title of his most recent recording (March 2002), the twelfth in a highly creative journey that has already brought him 10 Grammy Awards. The album was marketed jointly by the legendary jazz label Blue Note and revered classical imprint Angel Records. McFerrin was signed to the sister labels under the Jazz & Classics umbrella of Capitol Records in early 2001 and both are a natural home for the performer whose creative energy flows freely through the worlds of jazz, classical, pop, choral, a capella, and world music.

Produced by Linda Goldstein and co-produced by Gil Goldstein, Beyond Words takes the listener on a pilgrimage through Bobby's influences from around the world. African, Asian, Spanish, Middle Eastern, Western and traditional jazz elements can be heard on pieces like 'Invocation', 'A Silken Road', 'Ziggurat', and 'Marlowe'. Bobby even flirts with drum and bass music on 'Taylor Made', a song in which he teams with his son Taylor on mouth percussion. McFerrin uses keyboards to create layers of sound that interweave with multiple layers of vocal textures. He composed all 16 tracks, except for his adventurous take on Chick Corea's 'Windows.' Besides, Chick, Bobby is backed by Richard Bona, Omar Hakim, and Cyro Baptista.

Circlesongs

1. Circlesong One
2. Circlesong Two
3. Circlesong Three
4. Circlesong Four
5. Circlesong Five
6. Circlesong Six
7. Circlesong Seven
8. Circlesong Eight

Circlesongs

Sony Classical, 1997

Circlesongs is the result of Bobby's solo and group vocal explorations that have evolved into his own version of chant and sacred music. Created with twelve highly accomplished singers from vocal disciplines as diverse as classical to jazz to musical theater, it is steeped in an oral tradition that summons the ancient magic of tribal gatherings. For Bobby, "One of the simplest and most direct ways of praying and meditating is through singing and singing in community is exceptionally powerful."

Circlesongs are very special to Bobby. Under his creative guidance he leads his group in completely improvised music performance; every moment is free of preconceptions and is created anew.

Voicestra members on Circlesongs include:

• Nick Bearde
• Joey Blake
• Pierre Cook
• Sussan Deyhim
• Kirsten Falke
• Paul Hillier
• Raz Kennedy
• Beth Quist
• Rhiannon
• Janis Siegal
• Pamela Warrick Smith
• David Worm

Bang!Zoom

1. Bang!Zoom
2. Remembrance
3. Selim
4. Freedom is a Voice
5. Friends
6. Heaven's Design
7. My Better Half
8. Kid's Toys
9. Mere Words

Bang!Zoom

Blue Note, 1996

Recorded in 1995, Bang!Zoom features Bobby in a number of different collaborations including the members of jazz fusion group The Yellow Jackets.

Billboard Magazine: "Bobby McFerrin outdoes himself with this collaboration with the Yellowjackets. These tunes showcase the fluid melodicism of the contemporary jazz outfit and McFerrin's incomparable vocal improvisations."

The San Francisco Chronicle writes: "Only an artist with Bobby McFerrin's extraordinary vocal gifts and imagination could pull off a pastiche like this pleasing concoction. He overdubbed his voice to create a shifting web of harmonies, counterparts, and choirs. He sings joyous, wordless, African-based songs - filled with dancing melodies and shimmering textures"

Guest performers include:

• Bob Mintzer, sax & bass clarinet
• Paul Jackson, Jr., guitar
• Paulinho Da Costa, percussion
• Russel Ferrante, piano and synth
• Jimmy Haslip, bass
• William Kennedy, drums
• Scott Wendholt, trumpet
• Paul Nagel, fender rhodes
• Tower of Power Horn Section

Mozart Sessions

1. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.23 in A Major, K. 488
2. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
3. Song for Amadeus, Improvisation on Mozart's Sonata No. 2 in F Major K. 280/189e:II Adagio

The Mozart Sessions

Sony Classical, 1996

Like other pianists of his time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart prided himself on his ability to improvise at the keyboard, both in solo works and concertos. That long-abandoned practice is one of the elements of Mozartean style that conductor Bobby and pianist Chick Corea explore in The Mozart Sessions, which includes recordings of Mozart's Piano Concertos No.20 in D minor, K.466, and No.23 in A Major, K.488, performed with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. The Mozart Sessions was released in October, 1996.

Not only does Corea play his own cadenzas in the concertos, he and Bobby link their individual improvisations to lead the listener directly into each of the concertos. What makes these improvisations so unusual is the fact that both Bobby and Chick, a jazz pianist, bring their own distinctive creative styles to bear on Mozart's music. Improvisation was considered an essential talent for a concert pianist in the late 18th century. Both Mozart and Beethoven dazzled audiences with their skill at improvisation. When he was still a performing pianist, Beethoven frequently played Mozart's D minor concerto -- one of the few Mozart works he championed -- adding his own cadenzas, which have become standard since Mozart's own cadenzas for this concerto were never notated.

With their inimitable Mozart improvisations drawing the audience into a performance of the same Mozart concerto, McFerrin and Corea, joined by the Orchestra of St. Luke's, were featured in a PBS "Great Performances" concert special entitled "Classic Innovations".

Paper Music

1. Overture to The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
2. Menuet from String Quintet No. 1 in E Major, Op.13, No.3 (Boccherini)
3. Pavane (Faure)
4. Minuetto & Finale from Pulcinella Suite (Stravinsky)
5. Concerto in G minor for 2 Cellos, Strings and Continuo (Vivaldi)
6. Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61, No.1 (Mendelssohn)
7. First Movement from Concerto for Violin, Strings and Continuo in A minor (Bach)
8. Eine kleine Nachtmusic, K. 525 (Mozart)

Paper Music

Sony Classical, 1995

Released in 1995, Paper Music was Bobby's first classical album, and featured him both conducting and singing with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra to fascinating and beautiful results. The same voice that climbed the pop charts, redefined vocal jazz, and invented an entirely new a capella vocabulary is equally at home replacing a cello in a Vivaldi Concerto, or singing Faure's haunting melodies.

Bobby was appointed Creative Chair of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in 1994, and this album beautifully marked the beginning of his second career as an orchestral conductor.

Hush

1. Grace
2. Andante from Concerto in D minor for two Mandolins (Vivaldi)
3. Flight of the Bumblebee (Rimsky-Korsakov)
4. Stars
5. Hush Little Baby
6. Vocalise (Rachmaninoff)
7. Musette (J.S. Bach)
8. Coyote
9. Allegro Prestissimo from Sonata for 2 Cellos (Barriere)
10. Ave Maria (Gounod/Bach)
11. Howdown!
12. Air from J.S. Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3 (J.S. Bach)
13. Goodbye

Hush

Sony Classical, 1992

Hush is the result of a deep friendship between Bobby and renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, which developed from a meeting between the two at the late Leonard Bernstein's 70th birthday in the summer of 1988 at Tanglewood. The intriguing collaboration -- solely involving the two leading artists -- features 13 tracks, including five McFerrin original compositions alongside such classical pieces as Rachmaninoff's 'Vocalise', J.S. Bach's 'Air' from Orchestral Suite No. 3, and Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Flight of the Bumblebee.'

"'Hush' is a celebration of life, from youth to old age", says Ma. "While in so many ways it speaks to children, it is equally true that the album's central goal -- to use Bobby's phrase -- is to 'release the child in the adult.'"

Adds Bobby, "We simply had a ball because Yo-Yo brings such a wonderful childlike attitude to new adventures. Working with him was absolutely fabulous, among the most enjoyable four days I've ever had musically. And it wasn't just the combination of cello and voice, but voice and Yo-Yo Ma which made it happen."

Play

1. Spain
2. Even From Me
3. Autumn Leaves
4. Blues Connotation
5. Round Midnight
6. Blue Bossa

Play

Blue Note, 1991

Bobby and Chick Corea banded together to record 'Play', an ebullient romp of jazz standards, improvisations, and generally good-natured audio hijinx, for Blue Note Records. The album was recorded in 1992 before enthusiastic audiences at New York's Carnegie Hall and Washington DC's Wolf Trap Amphitheater, and was a dazzling display of a musical friendship's spontaneity.

Bobby's comments on Chick:

"The title of this album was inspired by Chick. He reminded me that this is the first musical command of teachers to students when they begin their musical journey together. Most musicians today have forgotten that and disregard "play" as the essential element in all honest music making. Chick takes this "play"ing seriously and our time together was like letting two children with sweet tooths on OVERDRIVE in a candy store without adult supervision. What magic! What brilliance! What eagerness to let the music just happen itself. Chick is a master at letting the audience "in" on every clunk, every whisp, slam dunk, drop-kick, snort, grunt, giggle, heavy, lightness of music making. Chick, my sincere thanks for letting me in."

Chick's comments on Bobby:

"Playing these 6 concerts with Bobby has been a total joy. We chased the Muse each night. We explored nooks and crannies of our imaginations. We took each nuance and impulse as it came along and made them all live. We discarded nothing. We admired each other's offerings with no reservations. But the real magic was that the audience was part of the creation the whole way. Bobby's command of artistic communication is magnificent and inspiring. I learned a great deal from him about the art of performance. It was an adventure and incredible fun! We really played. Thank you, Bobby"

Medicine Music

1. Medicine Man
2. Baby
3. Yes, You
4. The Garden
5. Common Threads
6. Sweet in the Mornin'
7. Discipline
8. He Ran All the Way
9. Angry
10. The Train
11. Soma So De La De Sase
12. The 23rd Psalm

Medicine Music

EMI, 1990

Recorded in 1989, "Medicine Music" features Bobby skills as an orchestrator as well as a vocalist in music ranging from latin to gospel to spiritual. The album features his vocal ensemble Voicestra on two tracks, as well his father, baritone Robert McFerrin, Sr. (who was the first Afro-American singer ever to appear on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera).

The album features "Common Threads" the song featured on the AIDS documentary of the same name (and which won Bobby an Emmy for Best Original Score), as well as "23rd Psalm" a beautiful arrangement of religious choral music.

Simple Pleasures

1. Don't Worry Be Happy
2. All I Want
3. Drive My Car
4. Simple Pleasures
5. Good Lovin'
6. Come To Me
7. Suzie Q
8. Drive
9. Them Changes
10. Sunshine of Your Life

Simple Pleasures

EMI/Manhattan, 1988

Although 'Simple Pleasures' was Bobby's fourth album, many consider it his breakout effort, as it featured the mega hit "Don't Worry Be Happy" (which incidentally was composed and recorded in the last minute). Unknown to many, the album only features Bobby's voice, albeit with much overdubbing.

'Simple Pleasures' went on to win 3 Grammy Awards in 1988 - Record of the Year, Song of the Year ("Don't Worry"), and Best Pop Vocal, and topped the Billboards in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Spontaneous Inventions

1. Thinkin' About Your Body
2. Turtle Shoes
3. From Me To You
4. There Ya Go
5. Cara Mia
6. Another Night in Tunisia
7. Opportunity
8. Walkin'
9. I Hear Music
10. Beverly Hills Blues
11. Maсana Iguana

Spontaneous Inventions

Manhattan/Blue Note, 1986

Bobby's follow up to his first album, 'The Voice', 'Spontaneous Inventions' features Bobby alone and with special guests including Herbie Hancock, Jon Hendricks, Manhattan Transfer, Wayne Shorter, and the comedian Robin Williams.

The song "Another Night in Tunisia" won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal and Best Vocal Arrangement.

The Voice

1. Blackbird
2. The Jump
3. El Brujo
4. I Feel Good
5. I'm My Own Walkman
6. Music Box
7. Medley
8. Donna Lee
9. Big Top
10. We're in the Money
11. I'm Alone
12. A-Train

The Voice

Elektra/Asylum, 1984

After touring with his own band and collaborating with such jazz artists as Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin took a major and unprecedented step in 1983 when he began to offer solo, unaccompanied vocal concerts. This led to a solo tour of Germany, much of which can be heard on his second release, 'The Voice'.

'The Voice' was a milestone in jazz history; it was the first time a jazz singer had recorded an entire album solo, without accompaniment or overdubbing, for a major label. Bobby McFerrin's amazing ability to switch back and forth between bass notes and falsetto, along with his talent for jumping octaves, made this record quite a virtuoso showcase.

Bobby McFerrin

1. Dance With Me
2. Feline
3. You've Really Got a Hold on Me
4. Moondance
5. All Feets Can Dance
6. Sightless Bird
7. Peace
8. Jubilee
9. Hallucinations
10. Chicken

Bobby McFerrin

Elektra/Asylum, 1982

'Bobby McFerrin' was Bobby's debut recording. The remarkable singer is at his best on the unaccompanied "Hallucinations" and in a duet with drummer H.B. Bennett on "All Feets Can Dance"; also quite worthwhile are his versions of "Dance With Me" and "Moondance." Most of the diverse selections find McFerrin joined by a rhythm section led by pianist Victor Feldman. Phoebe Snow shares the vocal mike with McFerrin on "You've Really Got a Hold on Me."