Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

March 12, 1940 in Milwaukee, WI

Death

:

February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA

 

Al Jarreau was a renowned American jazz and R&B singer who was born on March 12, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the fifth of six children born to his parents, and his father was a Seventh-day Adventist Church minister. Jarreau grew up in a musical family, and he began singing in church at a young age. He was also influenced by his mother, who played the piano and sang in the church choir. Jarreau attended Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he earned a degree in psychology. While in college, he sang with a local group called the Indigos, and he also performed with the Ripon College Choir. After college, Jarreau moved to San Francisco to pursue a career in music. In the early 1970s, Jarreau began performing in jazz clubs in Los Angeles, and he quickly gained a following. He signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1975, and his debut album, "We Got By," was released the following year. The album was a critical success, and it established Jarreau as a major talent in the jazz world. Jarreau's second album, "Glow," was released in 1976, and it featured the hit single "Rainbow in Your Eyes." The album was also a critical and commercial success, and it earned Jarreau his first Grammy nomination. In 1977, Jarreau released his third album, "Look to the Rainbow," which was recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The album featured some of Jarreau's most popular songs, including "Take Five" and "Spain." It also earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. Jarreau continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s, including "Breakin' Away" (1981), which featured the hit single "We're in This Love Together," and "Jarreau" (1983), which featured the hit single "Mornin'." He also collaborated with other artists, including George Benson, Chick Corea, and David Sanborn. In 1985, Jarreau released the album "High Crime," which featured the hit single "After All." The song was featured in the movie "Chances Are," and it earned Jarreau his second Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance. Jarreau continued to tour and record throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and he remained a popular and respected artist in the jazz and R&B worlds. He released several albums during this time, including "Heaven and Earth" (1992), "Tenderness" (1994), and "Accentuate the Positive" (2004). In addition to his successful music career, Jarreau was also an accomplished actor. He appeared in several movies and TV shows, including "Moonlighting," "The White Shadow," and "The Mambo Kings." Jarreau was known for his distinctive vocal style, which combined elements of jazz, R&B, and pop. He was also known for his energetic and engaging live performances, which often included scat singing and improvisation. Throughout his career, Jarreau received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In addition to his two Grammy Awards, he was also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001. He was also inducted into the SoulMusic Hall of Fame in 2015. Sadly, Al Jarreau passed away on February 12, 2017, at the age of 76. His death was mourned by fans and fellow musicians around the world, who remembered him as a talented and innovative artist who had a profound impact on the world of music.

More....