What's so good about Bobby McFerrin

I know I'm supposed to go "beyond the bio" with these posts, but here's a line from Bobby McFerrin's bio which I think captures what makes him so special as an artist: "The 10-time Grammy winner has blurred the distinction between pop music and fine art, goofing around barefoot in the world’s finest concert halls, exploring uncharted vocal territory, inspiring a whole new generation of a cappella singers and the beatbox movement."

As is often the case with a musical master, a concert by Bobby McFerrin is so much more that just a concert - it's an experience. The instrument on display is certainly impressive - whether alone on stage or accompanied by a full orchestra, what he's able to do with his unique, multi-octave voice, beatboxing and body percussion is unmatched and enthralling. But for me, it's the rest of the package - the joy which emanates from the stage when he sings; the way in which he engages the audience - both through his stage persona and literally via audience participation - which makes Bobby McFerrin a must-see.

Rather than have me try to explain Bobby's approach to singing, check out this clip:

The clip above demonstrates Bobby's immense talent as a performer, but also his commitment to sharing the joy of singing, and his passion for education. It's apt that the video was taken on a day called Sing! Day of Song, in front of 60,000 other singers. In his own words: "I try to sing the way I sing in my kitchen, because I just can’t help myself. I want audiences to leave the theatre and sing in their own kitchens the next morning. I want to bring audiences into the incredible feeling of joy and freedom I get when I sing."

One of my favourite videos of Bobby McFerrin I saw thanks to Facebook - someone posted it on their page. It's not often that I include a video from the World Science Festival in the Artistic Director's Guide to Jazz…but I think you'll see why:

In a previous life, I managed a children's choir, and the Artistic Director always used to say "If you can talk, you can sing." I feel Bobby McFerrin is always trying to remind us of the same idea. We're not going to be able to do what he does, but we can share in the joy which he gets from singing.

For his 2014 TD Toronto Jazz Festival appearance, he'll be performing music from his spirityouall project, in which he "re-imagines Americana with beloved spirituals and original songs, raising the roof with joyful grooves." He'll have a full band with him on stage, but his voice will be on full display. Here's a sample:

I can't wait. Bobby McFerrin - spirityouall performs Friday, June 27, 8 pm on the Toronto Star Stage at Nathan Phillips Square. Local soul extravaganza the Soul Nannies opens up. Buy tickets now or, for more information, visit the concert page.

Josh