Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau
Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Al Jarreau
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Alois Michael Jarreau
Birth date	March 12, 1940
Birth place	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Death date	February 12, 2017
Death place	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Jazz, R&B, Soul, Pop, Vocalese, Fusion
Occupation	Singer, Songwriter, Producer
Years active	1960s–2017
Labels	Warner Bros., Reprise, Verve, Concord
Associated acts	George Benson, Quincy Jones, Count Basie, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock

Al Jarreau was an American singer and vocalist renowned for his versatility across jazz, R&B, soul, pop, and funk styles. He became widely recognized for his distinctive scat singing, vocal improvisation, and ability to cross genre boundaries, earning multiple Grammy Awards and international acclaim. Jarreau's career spanned recordings, live performances, television appearances, and collaborations with leading figures in American music from the late 20th century into the 21st century.

Early life and education

Born Alois Michael Jarreau in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jarreau grew up in a family rooted in the Roman Catholic Church community and the African American cultural milieu of the Midwest. He attended Milwaukee Vocational High School and later enrolled at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin, where he studied psychology and earned a bachelor's degree while participating in collegiate choral ensembles and local jazz club scenes. After graduation, he moved to Seattle, Washington, and pursued a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation at the University of Washington, later working as a rehabilitation counselor for veterans before focusing full time on a musical career.

Career

Jarreau's professional career began in Seattle where he performed with regional bands and at college venues, eventually moving to Los Angeles to join the cast of the Broadway-bound production of Hair; however he later returned to pursue recording. His breakthrough came with the 1975 album "We Got By" on Bytown, followed by the 1976 release "Glow" and the 1977 live album "Look to the Rainbow" that established him on the jazz circuit. Jarreau signed with Warner Bros. Records and achieved mainstream success with the 1978 album "All Fly Home" and particularly the 1979 album "Breakin' Away", produced by Jay Graydon and featuring collaborations with David Foster and guitarist Chick Corea; "Breakin' Away" yielded the hit single "We're in This Love Together" and broadened his audience across United States and international markets.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s Jarreau collaborated with major figures including George Benson, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, and Count Basie, contributing vocals to film soundtracks, television specials, and studio sessions. He appeared on programs such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Saturday Night Live, and recorded for labels including Reprise Records and Verve Records. Jarreau continued touring globally into the 2000s, performing at venues like Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and Newport Jazz Festival.

Musical style and influences

Jarreau's vocal approach fused elements of scat singing, vocalese, and rhythmic phrasing drawn from bebop and soul traditions. He cited influences including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, and Louis Armstrong, while also integrating contemporary sounds from artists like Stevie Wonder and George Duke. His repertoire encompassed standards from the Great American Songbook as well as originals and contemporary pop, often featuring sophisticated arrangements by producers and arrangers such as Tommy LiPuma and Arif Mardin. Critics noted Jarreau's ability to navigate complex harmonic structures associated with modern jazz while maintaining accessibility through melodic hooks and rhythmic grooves linked to R&B and funk.

Awards and honors

Jarreau received seven Grammy Awards across categories including Best Jazz Vocal Performance and Best R&B Vocal Performance, making him one of the few artists to win in multiple genres. He was honored with nominations for Tony Award–adjacent projects and received lifetime achievement recognitions from organizations such as the NARAS and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame affiliates. Jarreau earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was the recipient of civic honors from entities including the City of Milwaukee and cultural institutions like the Smithsonian Institution for his contributions to American music.

Personal life

Jarreau was married twice and had three sons; his family life included residences in Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He maintained friendships and professional relationships with peers across genres, including Quincy Jones, George Benson, and Herbie Hancock, and participated in philanthropic efforts supporting veterans' services and music education through collaborations with organizations such as The Recording Academy and local arts foundations. He balanced touring schedules with studio work and advocacy for creative arts programs.

Health and death

In 2016 Jarreau experienced a respiratory tract infection that led to hospitalization and the cancellation of scheduled concerts. On February 12, 2017, he died in Los Angeles from complications related to respiratory failure. His death prompted statements and tributes from figures including Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, and institutions such as NPR and major newspapers, and memorial services reflected his wide influence across the music industry.

Legacy and impact

Jarreau's legacy lies in his boundary-crossing artistry that influenced generations of vocalists in jazz, R&B, and pop contexts. His innovative use of vocal percussion, phrasing, and improvisation informed practitioners from Bobby McFerrin to contemporary neo-soul singers, while his crossover success helped open pathways for jazz artists on mainstream charts and radio formats worldwide. Educational programs and tribute concerts at institutions like Berklee College of Music, The Juilliard School, and the Monterey Jazz Festival have examined his technique and repertoire, and his recordings remain staples in collections curated by libraries such as the Library of Congress and archives at the Smithsonian Institution. Jarreau is remembered as a singular voice whose work bridged communities in American and global music.

Category:American jazz singers Category:Grammy Award winners