Biography
Taylor McFerrin, born June 28, 1981, in San Francisco, California, is an American DJ, music producer, keyboardist, and beatboxer, best known as the eldest son of renowned vocalist and conductor Bobby McFerrin. Growing up in San Francisco surrounded by jazz influences, he developed a genre-defying style blending jazz, hip-hop, electronica, and 1970s synth sounds reminiscent of Roy Ayers, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, and George Duke. After living in Brooklyn for 15 years where he honed his solo career, McFerrin signed with Flying Lotus's Brainfeeder label, releasing his debut album Early Riser in 2014, featuring guests like Thundercat, Robert Glasper, and his father Bobby McFerrin.[1][4]
McFerrin's career advanced through key collaborations, particularly his five-year duo partnership with drummer Marcus Gilmore, with whom he performed new compositions and explored improvisational blends of jazz, hip-hop beats, and electronic textures, as seen in their 2015 Vienna JazzFest performance. He joined Robert Glasper's supergroup R+R=Now in 2018 alongside Christian Scott, Terrace Martin, and Derrick Hodge, releasing Collagically Speaking on Blue Note Records. Relocating to Los Angeles three years prior to 2019 to tap into the beat scene, McFerrin continues to push boundaries, disavowing strict genres like his father while maintaining strong jazz credentials.[1][3][4][5]
His musical legacy lies in bridging past and future sounds, contributing to a revitalization of jazz through modern fusions that incorporate Black musical consciousness and innovative electronics, influencing a new generation alongside peers like Glasper and Thundercat.[1][2]
Fun Facts
- Taylor McFerrin and Marcus Gilmore debuted new duo compositions at SFJAZZ's Joe Henderson Lab after five years of collaboration, adapting solo album material nightly.[1]
- In a 2015 Vienna JazzFest performance, McFerrin started with 1970s synth riffs, prompting Gilmore to morph into hip-hop beats, blues shuffles, and an extended solo referencing You've Got It Bad Girl.[1]
- McFerrin values vintage synthesizers for their unpredictable knobs, allowing musicians like Herbie Hancock to create unique sounds representing their personalities.[1]
- He released singles like Chance to Say My Piece featuring Marcus Gilmore in 2020 and TELE PHOTO / ORIGINAL SUN in 2022.[7]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Bobby McFerrin - Father and key influence in improvisation and genre-defying approach (Guest on Early Riser (2014)) [Ongoing family influence]
- 1970s artists (Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Roy Ayers, Stevie Wonder) - Stylistic inspirations for synth manipulation and instrumental warmth (Referenced in live performances and productions) [Childhood onward]
Key Collaborators
- Marcus Gilmore - Primary duo partner and frequent drummer, pushing improvisational boundaries (Early Riser (2014), 2015 Vienna JazzFest, 2020 Chance to Say My Piece, live duo shows) [2010s-2020s (five years by 2019)]
- Robert Glasper - Bandmate in R+R=Now supergroup and guest on tracks (Early Riser (2014), R+R=Now's Collagically Speaking (2018)) [2014-2018+]
- Thundercat - Guest collaborator blending jazz, hip-hop, R&B (Early Riser (2014), Already There track) [2014]
- Flying Lotus - Label head and production collaborator (Early Riser (Brainfeeder, 2014)) [2010s]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Taylor McFerrin, Marcus Gilmore has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 30, 2025 | 01:09 | Chance to Say My Piecefrom Chance to Say My Piece | Adjacentw/ Benny Poppins |