a nonprofit presenter of jazz artistic and education programs
world premiere
song sample
Bobby McFerrin Say Ladeo
song sample
Bobby McFerrin Wailers
artist personnel
Bobby Mcferrin vocals Pacific Mozart Ensemble chorus Roger Treece conductor
Tell a friend: 
Bobby McFerrin presents VOCAbuLarieS
with special guests
The Pacific Mozart Ensemble Post-Concert Talk with Bobby McFerrin saturday, april 10, 8PM nob hill masonic center
$25| $45| $65| $85 Premium seat map buy tickets

Bobby McFerrin is a revolutionary musical force who exudes pure joy while reconfiguring the definitions of jazz, a cappella and classical music. Perhaps McFerrin’s greatest achievement is that he has dispelled previously held beliefs about the limits of the human voice. The pivotal decision in his career was when pianist Keith Jarrett inspired him to perform completely improvised solo concerts, leaving onlookers slack-jawed in disbelief. From there, the vocalist has collaborated with jazz and classical musicians; been a conductor, an educator and arts evangelist; scored an era-defining pop hit with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and has earned an incredible ten Grammy Awards. Founded in 1986, McFerrin’s Voicestra has re-invented the choir concept with stylistic influences from jazz to R&B to Indian classical opera. This SFJAZZ appearance is the American premiere of VOCAbuLarieS, a new choral project with compositions by McFerrin and his frequent collaborator Roger Treece. A new Decca album of the same name will be released in March, 2010.

"Bobby McFerrin’s greatest gift to his audience may be changing them from spectators into celebrants and transforming a concert hall into a playground, a village center, a joyous space." los angeles times “An idiosyncratic jazz singer with a sharp ear for improvisation and a phenomenal circular-breathing technique…. he also has an uncanny ability to bring out your inner child.” The New York Times