Skip to content

Biography · Music

Robert McFerrin

1921–2006

United States

Source image for Robert McFerrinLoading image…
Visit the source record ↗

Biography

Robert Keith McFerrin Sr. (March 19, 1921 – November 24, 2006) was an American operatic baritone, notable for being 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." McFerrin was the father of Grammy Award-winning vocalist Bobby McFerrin.

Sources & collection details

Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗

Black heritage reference ↗

Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-20

Continue exploring Series 1

Arts, Music & Culture →

Explore all Series 1 cards →

Keep exploring