The Groove: A Night with Bobby McFerrin

Berklee's student newspaper checked out the Sing Song with Bobby McFerrin concert.
March 10, 2011

The BPC was packed from wall to wall, front row to balcony last Thursday for the sold-out Sing Song with Bobby McFerrin concert.

You know how it goes: The room is filled with light chattering, everyone is anxious for the show to start, then the house lights dim and the announcer guy reminds us not to videotape the performance and whatnot.

The audience simmers down as a flood of Berklee students walk out in a single-file line from the left wing of the stage and take their seats arranged in a semi-circle. After all the singers were seated, Bobby McFerrin walks out and everyone in the audience simultaneously bursts into applause. Decked out in a T-shirt and jeans, the 10-time Grammy Award–winner sits in the center-stage chair with his set list on his left and water bottle on his right, ties his hair back, and begins scatting in a mixture of deep bass and falsetto with amazing accuracy. While creating this polyphonic effect, he makes unique percussive sounds by tapping on his chest and using his mouth and microphone in inventive ways. . . .

Read more about Bobby McFerrin's concert at berkleegroove.com.