I like a very dark house, just black. I sit there and just think. Once I'm still and quiet inside, I'll begin. It's very personal; it has to be. One song may be Bach, the next blues, a song from TV, or a nursery rhyme or jazz piece.
From Bobby McFerrin
I want to write a book of poetry, as well as children's stories.
I have a lot of albums yet to do.
But, if there's any aspect of my career that needs attention, it's writing.
I do a lot of performing, but don't get a chance to go to the studio and write good music.
Seriously though, my father was the first African American to sign a contract with the Metropolitan Opera so I grew up with classical music and jazz in the home all the time.
I played piano as a kid; I still play a little bit.
Then when I was in grammar school I played the clarinet, and then, after clarinet I played the flute in college orchestra - besides singing in the college chorus and things like that.
I'd actually been making my living as an organist with bands since I was probably 15 or 16 years old, and then as a senior in high school I put together a jazz quintet called The Bobby Mack Jazz Quintet.
Then I left that school and I went to Cerritos College, which was in southern California; they had one of the best big band programs in the country at the time.
2 perspectives
1 perspectives