Bobby McFerrin

Bobby McFerrin was born in New York City in 1950, the son of operatic baritone Robert McFerrin Sr. He grew up around classical music but found his own path through jazz and other forms. What he does with just his voice is the thing people remember most, creating entire arrangements, harmonies, and rhythms without instruments, a style that feels both playful and technically demanding.

In 1988, his song 'Don't Worry Be Happy' became a massive hit, topping charts in dozens of countries. It's a simple, optimistic tune that somehow caught the mood of that moment. Beyond that single, his work includes songs like 'Baby' and 'Blackbird,' and he's recorded over twenty albums, sometimes with collaborators like Chick Corea or Yo-Yo Ma.

He won three Grammys for his 1997 album 'Circlesongs,' which explored vocal improvisation and group singing. McFerrin has never really had a fixed band; he tends to work with different musicians depending on the project, keeping his approach fluid and open to whatever the music asks for.