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Bobby McFerrin's new material is oceans away from his best-known hit Date published: 3/11/2010
BY ZACK SMITH FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR Has it really been 20 years since Bobby McFerrin first advised the world, "Don't worry, be happy"? Indeed, it has been even longer since the irrepressible vocalist first made his mark on the music world with his unique ability to sing melody, harmony, bass lines and beatbox all at the same time. As he prepares for the U.S. premiere of his new recording, 10-time Grammy Award winner McFerrin will be stopping by the Birchmere in Alexandria to perform his solo show for two nights--Wednesday, March 17, and Thursday, March 18. A solo performance by Bobby McFerrin almost defies explanation. Pulling musical influences from jazz, pop, rock, classical and world music, he manages to meld many different styles into one fluent form. Music just seems to burst out of him. Speaking from Philadelphia, McFerrin said in a recent phone interview that he really doesn't have a "plan" for his solo show. "The only thing that is planned in advance is the first two pieces. The first two pieces are always improvised, 'cause I figure it's best to do the riskiest thing first. The audience can expect to sing with me--you know, I demand it. To me it's not a solo concert as much as it is sort of like audience art. I'm singing to them, they're singing to me--it's like a community sing-out!" Although both of his parents were singers, it took a while for McFerrin to realize where his path lay. "I was a journeyman keyboard player with the Ice Follies in '71, '72 and '73. I thought I was a pianist for a long, long time, but I always had a nagging suspicion that I wasn't. One day, out of the blue, I discovered I was a singer--and I actually got an audition at a piano bar the next day, and was hired. I discovered I was a singer, and the very next day I got a job as a singer!"
Date published: 3/11/2010
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