Inspiring
By Katie Sullivan | February 4, 2002A bass player with a mop of curly black hair starts to play a gently thrumming back-beat. A drummer joins in, playing a softly swishing rhythm on the snare. Sitting backward on a piano bench, a man in jeans, a black sweater and trademark braids begins singing in the voice of the saxophone. Such is the magic of Bobby McFerrin. McFerrin came to the University this weekend to conduct three master classes and play two concerts. Music performance faculty member John D'earth summed up the feelings of many of the participants during his introduction. "This is a precious moment, and it will be gone," he said. McFerrin is an internationally famed jazz singer whose improvisational skills have earned him numerous awards and accolades, including a gold album and 10 Grammys.
