Multiple Grammy Award Winner Performs with Howard University’s Afro Blue Reunion Choir at the Warner Theatre
June 7, 2011, Washington, D.C.— Adding to the remarkable array of celebrated artists who have been and are headline artists, the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) proudly welcomes 10-time Grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin to the nation’s capital city. On Saturday, June 11 McFerrin will perform his acclaimed inspirational new recording, VOCAbuLarieS, accompanied by Howard University’s Afro Blue Reunion Choir at the Warner Theatre.
Best known for his global hit, “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” McFerrin is one of the world’s most recognized vocal innovators and improvisers. A habitual rule-breaker when it comes to conventionalism, also a world-renowned classical conductor, he has absorbed and assimilated a host of musical genres, including jazz, R&B, classical, pop and world, music into his own art. In addition to his endless creativity as an artist, Bobby McFerrin is a passionate spokesman for music education.
“Bobby was an obvious choice as a headline artist this year because his artistry speaks to the core values of the festival—sharing the brilliance of jazz and educating others about music,” said Michael Sonnenreich, Chairman and CEO of Kikaku America International and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the DC Jazz Festival. “He is constantly redefining the music with his unique diversity and range, and his latest album pushes his creative boundaries even further. This performance is not to be missed.”
VOCAbuLarieS, Bobby’s first new recording in eight years, channels his wildly joyful creativity and expands into previously uncharted territory for the artist. A collaboration with musical director Roger Treece, the album was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Classical Crossover Album and was named Outstanding World Music Album at the NAACP Image Awards. Downbeat magazine describes live performances of VOCAbuLarieS as “an exhilarating experience… creating a legacy that is unmatched in the history of popular or art song.” The show has earned rave reviews and standing ovations at sold-out theaters in cities around the world, including Munich, Prague, Vienna, San Francisco, London, New York, Montreal and Helsinki. Now Howard University’s Afro Blue Reunion Choir will join Bobby to bring this groundbreaking new choral repertoire to Washington, D.C.
“I can’t wait to be back in Washington, D.C.,” said McFerrin. “I’m really looking forward to singing the music from VOCAbuLarieS with the Afro Blue choir.”
Tickets for the Bobby McFerrin performance at the Warner Theatre are available for purchase at:
http://www.livenation.com/event/15004685EAC45BA9?dma_id=377
Other ticketed performances at this year’s festival include:
A Night in Treme: The Musical Majesty of New Orleans
Monday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
SOLD OUT
A performance featuring Wendell Pierce, the Rebirth Brass Band, clarinetist Dr. Michael White, trombonist Big Sam Williams, trumpeter James Andrews and saxophonist Donald Harrison.
Bohemian Caverns
Tickets (T)
Dazzling Cuban saxophonist Luis “Faife” Sanchez & Puerto Cubano: The Afro-Cuban Experience
Tuesday, June 7 at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Consummate saxophonist Antonio Hart and his quintet
Wednesday, June 8 and Thursday, June 9 at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
The Legendary Heath Brothers Quintet featuring NEA Jazz Master and saxophonist Jimmy Heath and celebrated hard bop drummer Tootie Heath
Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11 at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Ticketed events for the DC Jazz Festival and CapitalBop present … the D.C. Jazz Loft Series include:
Red Door
Tickets (T)
The experimental and creative OOO (Tri-O Trio)
Friday, June 10 at 9:00 p.m.
The fiery, avant-garde Darius Jones Trio
Friday, June 10 at 10:00 p.m.
Subterranean A
Tickets (T)
The innovative JD Allen Trio
Saturday, June 11 at 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.
Washington, D.C.’s own Elijah Jamal Balbed Quartet
Saturday, June 11 at 10:30 p.m..
Proud major sponsors and partners of the DC Jazz Festival, to date, include Bing; The Washington Post; ABC7/WJLA-TV and News Channel 8; Patton Boggs LLP; Sage Communications; the Washington Convention and Sports Authority; Linda and Michael Sonnenreich; the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; The Phillips Collection; Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck LLP; Verizon; Microsoft; the Washington City Paper; American Airlines; LCG Systems; Dworbell; the Mayo Charitable Foundation; the NEA Foundation; Amtrak; WMATA (Metro); Bohemian Caverns
