RIGA - The number of times my father would pop in a Bobby McFerrin cassette and fast forward to "Don't Worry, Be Happy" during my childhood only now strikes me as worrying. But in my impenetrable bubble of kiddie bliss, those four famous words were no more than a lovely soundtrack for lazy afternoons, morning car rides to school, evenings cleaning the garage, Sunday breakfasts, kitchen-table bill paying, backyard picnics and birthday parties until the cassette finally got played to shreds, then a new one was bought the next week, only to get worn out again.
Bobby McFerrin's ode to happiness has become one of the most recognized ditties of all time. From America to Latvia, the tune bubbles off the lips of consoling friends, whistles from the lips of business men on their way to work and has found a permanent home on retro radio stations 's in Riga it's become a Radio Skonto favorite. I doubt I've met a Latvian who doesn't love that song. Who knows, perhaps it's even saved a Purvciems resident's life or a troubled Russian soul.
Thanks mostly to his amazing four-octave voice and an unparalleled ability to improvise, McFerrin has become an icon for vocal jazz. An acclaimed conductor and 10-time Grammy award winner, his records have sold more than 20 million copies. His original sound combines jazz, folk and a kaleidoscope of world influences including choral, a capella and classical.
The man was born into music. Both his parents were respected opera singers in New York and his father, Robert McFerrin Sr., was the first African-American soloist to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in the 1950s. Bobby developed his unique vocal style in the '70s singing with the New Orleans group Astral Project and then touring with jazz legend Jon Hendricks.
But it wasn't until the '80s that McFerrin made a name for himself. Lending his voice to a wide range of collaborators, the music box won his first Grammy in 1985 for "Another Night in Tunisia" with the Manhattan Transfer. And then, in 1988 came that song. Its album, Simple Pleasures, earned McFerrin another Grammy, a record of the year award, and international acclaim with his hit melody stealing number one on pop charts in nearly every country in the world.
Over the years, McFerrin has collaborated with high profile celebrities such as Chick Corea, Yo-Yo Ma, Herbie Hancock, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Vienna and even the Muppets. And next week the legend will play in Riga with the a cappella pride of Latvia 's Cosmos.
The vocal group of six former choirboys earned European attention with their debut album in 2003. They were nominated for the Year's Best Pop Album, earned a third-place finish in the 2004 New Wave music contest and second place in a renowned choral competition in Garcia, Italy.
It's a bit mind boggling to imagine Bobby McFerrin's river of trumpet, guitar, flute, cello and percussion voice imitations along with Cosmos' wavelength of James Earl Jones bass to schoolgirl alto. The vocal virtuoso will undoubtedly carry his Latvian amateurs through the concert with his beloved solo improvisations, witty sense of humor and habit of breaking into spontaneous on-stage performances.
Whether fans file into the Latvian National Opera for Cosmos or McFerrin, one thing's for sure; despite rent that's late and the landlord's threat to litigate, on July 13 the opera house will be the happiest building in Riga 's worry free. At least, it will momentarily convince itself so. o
Bobby McFerrin and Cosmos
Latvian National Opera, Riga
July 13, 7 p.m.
Tickets: 20 lats
(28 euros) 's 70 lats
