Bobby McFerrin

My father was a very disciplined singer who worked hard at his craft, and I was around that growing up. ”

I grew up in a time when being a musician and learning to be a musician was actually very wonderful. ”

But, if there's any aspect of my career that needs attention, it's writing. ”

Miles Davis turned his back to the audience when he came out on stage, and he offended people. But, he wasn't there to entertain; he was all about the music. I kind of do that. ”

I played piano as a kid; I still play a little bit. ”

When I'm on stage by myself, I don't have to think about anything. I don't have to worry about anything because I'm not responsible for anything except just opening my mouth and making sure music comes out. ”

It's not that I don't love the song. My songs are like my children: some you want around and some you want to send off to college as soon as possible. ”

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. ”

Well, I started conducting kind of by accident. I wanted to give myself a special birthday present for my fortieth birthday, and I was living in San Francisco at the time and I started attending some of the concerts and then simply dropping hints. ”

My biggest musical influences are probably my parents. ”