Monday, November 06, 2006

New York Adventures with Bobby McFerrin

What I haven't really touched in this blog is some of my own musical path as a DJ and vocalist. I would particularly like to share one of my voice training experiences of a lifetime. In June 2004 I flew to NY for the first vocal workshop of its kind given by none other than vocal shaman, Bobby McFerrin. I learned more about improvisation and vocalization in those five days than in years combined previously. The suprisingly low cost of attending was worth more than its weight in gold.

The workshop was held on the lovely Omega Institute campus, where in between voice training you can take a stroll through the woods to the lake, lounge in the grass while classmates sing and play drums, take dance, movement and spiritual classes. Meditate...


The Omega Sanctuary--click for their website

Unfortunately, all too often, when I mention my experience with Bobby McFerrin to people who aren't in music they either don't know who Bobby is (gasp!) or respond with "Oh! He's that 'Don't Worry Be Happy guy isn't he?" (groan...) Even more sadly, the young people I know usually draw a complete blank.

Here is a video of the maestro himself.


If you like what you hear and would like to go out and purchase a Bobby McFerrin CD, I would personally recommend his release, Beyond Words. The beginning of his first song, Invocation, would certainly be one of my own desert island picks. I do prefer the beginning of the song to the more jazzy later part of the song though.


More About the Voice Workshop
I'll get right to it. I'm not sure what it has been like in more recent years, but I had a few chances to sing one-on-one and also chat informally with Bobby at the Omega workshop. Forget about his great personality on stage. As a human being, offstage, he was one of the most down-to-earth, accessible and warm people I've ever met. Real. The only time I saw him start to look frustrated was when people, like crazed fans, started to delve into him instead of the music.

I've heard of other vocalists who give similar improv workshops where the atmosphere is much more clinical and competitive, but working with Bobby absolutely brought out the best in everyone there. Many friendships were forged that week. I met so many wonderful people myself with whom I shared some unforgettable times...

Here is a shot of me and one of the most inspiring instructors, and an amazing vocalist in his own right Joey Blake, who has recently struck out a more solo career. Joey normally works in the San Fran Bay area.

But for me the hightlight of the Workshop was a chance to improvise with Bobby himself...


1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my god! Jammin with Bobby McFerrin! That is insane... I will definately look into this. Thanks for posting the info and the cool video. I'm just wondering if it will be alot bigger than when you went?

2:16 a.m.  

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