SU’s Pulse to present Bobby McFerrin in April 6 performance

SU’s Pulse to present Bobby McFerrin in April 6 performanceMarch 16, 2004Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

Perhaps best known for his hypnotic 1988 hit, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” the unconventional conductor and vocalist Bobby McFerrin will perform at Syracuse University, April 6 at 8 p.m. The performance will be in the Schine Student Center; tickets are $5 for SU students with I.D. and $8 for the general public.

“April 6 will be an historical evening for Syracuse University when one of the great musicians of our time, Bobby McFerrin, performs for the campus and the community,” says Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. “Pulse events like this truly show the benefit of collaboration between the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Division of Student Affairs. The partnership continues to benefit our students in a truly significant way.”

McFerrin was born into the music world – his father was the first African American male soloist at the Metropolitan Opera and later became the singing voice for Sidney Poitier in the movie version of “Porgy and Bess.” McFerrin followed in his father’s footsteps when he began singing with the group Astral Project in 1978. He went on to launch a solo career at the Playboy Jazz Festival in New York in 1980, and his first album was released shortly thereafter.

McFerrin has studied with Leonard Bernstein, Gustav Meier and Seiji Ozawa; he has won 10 Grammy Awards. He has conducted the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, recorded with cellist Yo-yo Ma, and was named creative director of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. With albums celebrating choral, a cappella, classical and world music, McFerrin performs his unaccompanied music without any prepared material, leading many critics to conclude that his performances are simply a “celebration of music.”

McFerrin’s performance is sponsored by Pulse, which seeks to provide SU undergraduates with opportunities to attend and participate in programs, performances, exhibitions and events in the performing arts. Pulse was developed nearly 10 years ago as a joint project between the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Division of Student Affairs to influence student culture in positive ways, positioning the arts more prominently as part of the regular student experience

Tickets for the McFerrin performance can be purchased or reserved by calling the Schine Box Office at (315) 443-4517.