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Capable of the most remarkable vocal gymnastics, Bobby McFerrin has spent his career producing all manner of extraordinary sounds with his voice, but will always be remembered for the classic hit Don't Worry, Be Happy. Starting out singing in piano bars in Salt Lake City, McFerrin sang with the band Astral Projection in New Orleans before being discovered at the Kool Jazz Festival in New York in 1981. He developed an acapella style, making rhythmic noises and singing melodies while tapping on his chest and often improvising, showcasing his unique talent on acclaimed second album The Voice (1984) - the first jazz record made entirely of unaccompanied vocals. He went on to work with Herbie Hancock and Manhattan Transfer on follow-up Spontaneous Invasions (1987) before Don't Worry, Be Happy unexpectedly shot to Number 1 in the US and UK, won two Grammy Awards and made McFerrin a huge international name. He later disowned the song and stopped performing it live when George Bush Snr used it without permission in his 1988 Presidential campaign. Still performing regularly, he has turned his hand to classical music in recent years becoming a guest conductor with symphony orchestras, including the London Philharmonic and interpreting the music of Bach and Mozart.
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