For seven-year Singing Men of Ohio member Aaron Price, singing with Bobby McFerrin tomorrow is not just an opportunity to sing with an internationally known artist. It is the realization of a dream.
McFerrin, known for his diverse and improvisational vocal abilities and the hit song Don't Worry
Be Happy is performing Saturday at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium at 8 p.m.
For me personally
and my close friends
we're all jazz fans and he's one of the most prolific jazz musicians of all time
said Price, a second-year graduate student. To see him in the flesh and sing with him is over the top.
SMO has never performed with such an internationally known artist, said SMO director Raymond Feener.
OU's own vocal group SMO is joining McFerrin in singing, but the group is unsure of exactly what they will be doing.
Right now it's kind of going to be more up to Bobby
I think
said SMO President Wes Ramsey. He has a pretty set list he likes to do.
SMO prepared two songs for the performance, and also will do circle songs with McFerrin.
We'll be doing some spiritual (songs)
Price said. We have an African piece that involves some seriously complex African rhythms.
For the circle songs, McFerrin will teach SMO a melody on the spot, and while SMO sings the melody over and over, McFerrin will begin improvising.
It'll be a lot of fun to work with someone of his talent
Feener said. The diversity of his repertoire
some people don't know all he does.
Price said the group is excited for the performance.
The group's pretty pumped; some of the younger guys are kind of curious
