McFerrin at the Lincoln Center

Last night at Jazz at Lincoln Center, in the wonderful Rose Theatre, Bobby McFerrin delighted an audience of more than 1000 people with his show VOCabuLarieS, conducted by Roger Treece. VOCabuLarieS is also the name of McFerrin's last album. Not only did the artist invite several spectators on stage to dance or sing with him, but he also took part in a Q and A session after the concert. McFerrin sang with a most international choir of 43 performers who were, for the most part, from the Danish group the Vocal Line Choir directed by Jens Johansen. Mc Ferrin had 14 special guests as well (such as Gary Eckert and Dave Worm, who also played percussions). The show has been ten years in the making. The audience felt very grateful for Mc Ferrin's generosity and positive spirit. Two of the artist's children also came on stage to improvise with him. For Mc Ferrin, "improvisation is motion. (...) You just keep going. (...) You just need the courage to keep going." He also added "I let the music take me wherever." And to the question "what do you like the most about performing?", McFerrin answered: I love the mystery of something that's going to happen only one time."