Don’t Worry Be Happy (feat. Jason Marsalis, Cyril Neville, Haley Reinhart, Glen David Andrews)
• Robert McFerrin Jr. (Orchestration by Emily Fredrickson)
• Probnoblem Music (BMI)
Notes by Irvin Mayfield:
Many don't know, but singer/songwriter Bobby McFerrin called New Orleans home in the late
1970s. Producer Irvin Mayfield felt the words penned by McFerrin espoused Kermit Ruffins'
artistic philosophy and all-around approach to life. Worrying is not found anywhere in the
offerings of Ruffins. Two of New Orleans’ most established musical families are represented on
this track with the participation of Cyril Neville and Jason Marsalis. McFerrin's original only
utilized his voice for the entire track. While known primarily as a drummer, Jason Marsalis, the
youngest of the Marsalis clan and NEA Jazz Master, shows his genius and virtuosity by
overdubbing on a number instruments—vibraphone, marimba, shaker, claps, stomps, chest
bumps, whistle—and debuting his voice for the bass part giving a modern day approach to a
world famous song.