Category: JAZZ CHOIRS
Composer: Bobby McFerrin and Russell Ferrante
Arranger: Tim Buchholz
Publisher: Sound Music Publications
Edition: SMP09-067
Voicing: SATB
Setting: with notated rhythm section parts (piano, bass, drums)
Reviewer:
Jennifer Parker
MacNally Smith College of Music
R&R Chair Jazz Choirs
Jennifer.Parker@mcnallysmith.edu
This arrangement encompasses everything you would expect from a Bobby McFerrin experience; worldly scat syllables, improvisation, beautiful melodic content, lush harmonies and groove-based spirituality. The syllable choices flow easily and the ending has a gospel-like feel to it. It would make a great song to incorporate into a circle song experience with your choirs or your audiences! With its catchy phrasing and inspiring word content, it makes a wonderful closer. I have used this chart with high level ensembles and with a few choirs of various ability at one time by splitting up the more difficult sections between them and bringing them together on the repetitive ending section.