Robert McFerrin

Robert McFerrin Sr.
McFerrin, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1955.
McFerrin, photographed
by Carl Van Vechten, 1955.
Background information
Birth nameRobert Keith McFerrin
Born(1921-03-19)March 19, 1921
Marianna, Arkansas
DiedNovember 24, 2006(2006-11-24) (aged 85)
St. Louis, Missouri
GenresClassical
OccupationSinger

Robert Keith McFerrin Sr. (March 19, 1921 – November 24, 2006) was an American operatic baritone and the first African-American man to sing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. His voice was described by critic Albert Goldberg in the Los Angeles Times as "a baritone of beautiful quality, even in all registers, and with a top that partakes of something of a tenor's ringing brilliance."[1] He was the father of Grammy Award-winning vocalist Robert McFerrin Jr., better known as Bobby McFerrin.

  1. ^ Bernstein, Adam (2006-11-29). "Robert McFerrin Sr.; Was First Black Man to Sing With the Met". Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-01-05.