Bobby McFerrin

REVIEW: Bobby McFerrin at TD Victoria International Jazz Fest

Adrian Chamberlain for The Times Colonist

The casual listener knows Bobby McFerrin mostly for his lighter-than-air ditty, Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

However, it was the spiritual side — well, the lighthearted spiritual side — of the American singer that we witnessed Saturday at TD Victoria International Jazz Fest. (Sorry, pop fans — McFerrin hasn’t sung his greatest hit in concert for years.)

Black spirituals reflect the faith and the experience of Africans enslaved in America. McFerrin, an unorthodox jazz singer, focused on spirituals in his latest album, spirtityouall. On this warm summer evening, we were treated to some of these — and a good deal of McFerrin-esque whimsy as well.

Like Kurt Elling or Ella Fitzgerald, McFerrin scat-sings in the manner of a jazz instrumentalist. He opened the concert a cappella, rapping his upper chest with his right hand, sometimes seeming to hit two tones simultaneously. To hear this live is rather amazing. (06/21/2015)

Read more at The Times Colonist 
Bobby McFerrin on TKA

 

REVIEW: Bobby McFerrin at Roy Thomson Hall

Agah Bahari for LIVE IN LIMBO

Roy Thomson Hall, the home to Toronto Symphony Orchestra, has seen many great legends and talents performing on it’s stellar stage. On Saturday, it hosted Bobby Mcferrin, the man whose instrument is his voice and that’s all he’s ever needed. From his 1988 hit song “Don’t worry, Be Happy” to his ten Grammy Awards and collaborations with the likes of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby Mcferrin has been one of the heavy weights of music since the 70’s. On Saturday night, he joined the Canadian A Capella quartet, Cadence, first for a workshop in which he began with interacting with the children in the crowed by encouraging them to sing their own name. He suggested that singing your own name for fifteen minutes everyday will give you a completely new outlook. He then performed improvised a song with Cadence and then was off the stage to prepare for the night’s performance, Bobby Meets Toronto, including himself, along with the Torontonian musicians Cadence quartet, George Sawa on Arabic Instruments, Muthadi Thomas on West African Drums, Kyle Brenders on Saxophone, and the dance Michael Caldwell. (06/16/15)

Read the review at Live in Limbo
Bobby McFerrin on TKA