Bobby McFerrin was the lesser known of several acts that night, but before the evening was over he was the one everyone was talking about. It was a one-night jazz event in San Francisco, at a steakhouse off Market Street unaccustomed to having live music – and it sounded like it. McFerrin took the stage, and early in his set a note he sang was echoed by a loud feedback roar. Rather than panic, or berate the soundman, the singer intentionally hit the note again, and proceeded to do a “bit” using the feedback as another instrument. The audience was floored. People began hearing about McFerrin soon after that, as he signed a record deal with Elektra-Asylum, and later Blue Note Records, scoring a major hit with the acapella anthem “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

BOBBY McFERRIN

PHOTO © 1995 MARK SELLIGER

BLUE NOTE