[ABOVE: Robert McFerrin, Sr. BELOW: Bobby McFerrin (Wikipedia cc)]
Hear 7-minute audio of interview
TheTakeAway.org
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with The BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.”
Friday, March 05, 2010
'He believed...your self was your instrument, your body was your instrument, your mind is your instrument, your spirit is a big part of your instrument. To this day when I sing, in many ways I feel like I'm praying.' — Bobby McFerrin
“You may know him best as the voice behind the song, 'Don't Worry, Be Happy,' but Bobby McFerrin comes from a line of history-making artists. Robert McFerrin, Sr. was the first black man to sing at the Metropolitan Opera, and he sang the role of Porgy for Sidney Poitier in the the film version of 'Porgy and Bess.' Bobby McFerrin will appear in a special tribute to his father on March 5th, 2009 in New York's Schomberg Center. Bobby stopped by our studios to talk a bit about the legacy of his father, who has a connection to Takeaway host Celeste Headlee.
“The first time Robert McFerrin, Sr. appeared on the New York City Opera stage, he was performing in an opera that Celeste's grandfather, William Grant Still, scored. Celeste and Bobby talk about race and culture then and now, and how important family can be in shaping your career.” [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma is found.]
Celeste HeadleeThe Take Away
Troubled Island
Bobby McFerrin
Robert McFerrin, Sr.
William Grant Still
Though they noted that Mr. McFerrin was in NYC to honor his father, he and Ms. Headlee didn't mention that the event was a special commemorative evening presented by New York City Opera at the Schomburg Center this past Saturday evening at 7pm, featuring a mini-recital by baritone Stephen Salters, a discussion between Bobby McFerrin and WQXR's Terrance McKnight, and some live music from Bobby McFerrin. This warm and memorable evening was part of the
ReplyDelete2nd annual series of collaborations between NYCO and the Schomburg, focusing on African-Americans's contributions to opera in America.