Alwin Lopez “Al” Jarreau (March 12, 1940 – February 12, 2017) was an American singer and musician. He obtained a complete of seven Grammy Awards and was nominated for over a dozen extra. Jarreau is probably greatest recognized for his 1981 album Breakin’ Away. He additionally sang the theme track of the late-Nineteen Eighties tv collection Moonlighting, and was among the many performers on the 1985 charity track “We Are the World.”
In 1968, Jarreau made jazz his main occupation. In 1969, Jarreau and Martinez headed south, the place Jarreau appeared at Dino’s, The Troubadour, and Bitter Finish West. Tv publicity got here from Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore, and David Frost. He expanded his nightclub appearances, acting at The Improv between the acts of such rising stars as Bette Midler, Jimmie Walker, and John Belushi. Throughout this era, he grew to become concerned with the United Church of Spiritual Science and the Church of Scientology. Additionally, roughly on the similar time, he started writing his personal lyrics, discovering that his Christian spirituality started to affect his work.
In 1975, Jarreau was working with pianist Tom Canning when he was noticed by Warner Bros. Information. On Valentine’s Day 1976 he sang on the thirteenth episode of NBC’s Saturday Evening Dwell, that week hosted by Peter Boyle. Quickly he launched his critically acclaimed debut album, We Received By, which catapulted him to worldwide fame and gained an Echo Award (the German equal of the Grammys in the US). A second Echo Award would observe with the discharge of his second album, Glow. In 1978, he gained his first Grammy Award for Greatest Jazz Vocal Efficiency for his album, Look To The Rainbow.
One in every of Jarreau’s most commercially profitable albums is Breakin’ Away (1981), which incorporates the hit track “We’re in This Love Collectively”. He gained the 1982 Grammy Award for Greatest Male Pop Vocal Efficiency for Breakin’ Away. In 1984, his single “After All” reached 69 on the US Scorching 100 chart and quantity 26 on the R&B chart. It was particularly fashionable within the Philippines. His final huge hit was the Grammy-nominated theme to the Nineteen Eighties American tv present Moonlighting, for which he wrote the lyrics. Amongst different issues, he was well-known for his intensive use of scat singing (for which he was referred to as “Acrobat of Scat”), and vocal percussion. He was additionally a featured vocalist on USA for Africa’s “We Are the World” by which he sang the road, “…and so all of us should lend a serving to hand.” One other charitable media occasion, HBO’s Comedian Reduction, featured him in a duet with Natalie Colesinging the track “Mr. President”, written by Joe Sterling, Mike Loveless, and Ray Attain.[12]
Jarreau took an prolonged break from recording within the Nineties. As he defined in an interview with Jazz Evaluate: “I used to be nonetheless touring, actually, I toured greater than I ever had up to now, so I stored in contact with my viewers. I received my symphony program below means, which included my music and that of different individuals too, and I carried out on the Broadway manufacturing of Grease. I used to be busier than ever! For probably the most half, I used to be doing what I’ve at all times finished…carry out dwell. I used to be searching for a report deal and was letting individuals know that there’s a new album coming. I used to be simply ready for the precise label (Verve), however I toured greater than ever.”
In 2003, Jarreau and conductor Larry Baird collaborated on symphony exhibits round the US, with Baird arranging extra orchestral materials for Jarreau’s exhibits.
Jarreau toured and carried out with Joe Pattern, Chick Corea, Kathleen Battle, Gregor Praecht, Miles Davis, George Duke, David Sanborn, Rick Braun, and George Benson. He additionally carried out the function of the Teen Angel in a 1996 Broadway manufacturing of Grease. On March 6, 2001, he obtained a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame, at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard on the nook of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue. In 2006, Jarreau appeared in a duet with American Idolfinalist Paris Bennett in the course of the Season 5 finale and on Superstar Duets singing with actor Cheech Marin. In 2010, Jarreau was a visitor on a Eumir Deodato album, with the track “Double Face” written by Jarreau, Deodato, and Nicolosi. The track was produced by the Italian firm Nicolosi Productions. On February 16, 2012, he was invited to the well-known Italian Competition di Sanremo to sing with the Italian group Matia Bazar.
In 1968, Jarreau made jazz his main occupation. In 1969, Jarreau and Martinez headed south, the place Jarreau appeared at Dino’s, The Troubadour, and Bitter Finish West. Tv publicity got here from Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore, and David Frost. He expanded his nightclub appearances, acting at The Improv between the acts of such rising stars as Bette Midler, Jimmie Walker, and John Belushi. Throughout this era, he grew to become concerned with the United Church of Spiritual Science and the Church of Scientology. Additionally, roughly on the similar time, he started writing his personal lyrics, discovering that his Christian spirituality started to affect his work.
In 1975, Jarreau was working with pianist Tom Canning when he was noticed by Warner Bros. Information. On Valentine’s Day 1976 he sang on the thirteenth episode of NBC’s Saturday Evening Dwell, that week hosted by Peter Boyle. Quickly he launched his critically acclaimed debut album, We Received By, which catapulted him to worldwide fame and gained an Echo Award (the German equal of the Grammys in the US). A second Echo Award would observe with the discharge of his second album, Glow. In 1978, he gained his first Grammy Award for Greatest Jazz Vocal Efficiency for his album, Look To The Rainbow.
One in every of Jarreau’s most commercially profitable albums is Breakin’ Away (1981), which incorporates the hit track “We’re in This Love Collectively”. He gained the 1982 Grammy Award for Greatest Male Pop Vocal Efficiency for Breakin’ Away. In 1984, his single “After All” reached 69 on the US Scorching 100 chart and quantity 26 on the R&B chart. It was particularly fashionable within the Philippines. His final huge hit was the Grammy-nominated theme to the Nineteen Eighties American tv present Moonlighting, for which he wrote the lyrics. Amongst different issues, he was well-known for his intensive use of scat singing (for which he was referred to as “Acrobat of Scat”), and vocal percussion. He was additionally a featured vocalist on USA for Africa’s “We Are the World” by which he sang the road, “…and so all of us should lend a serving to hand.” One other charitable media occasion, HBO’s Comedian Reduction, featured him in a duet with Natalie Colesinging the track “Mr. President”, written by Joe Sterling, Mike Loveless, and Ray Attain.
Jarreau took an prolonged break from recording within the Nineties. As he defined in an interview with Jazz Evaluate: “I used to be nonetheless touring, actually, I toured greater than I ever had up to now, so I stored in contact with my viewers. I received my symphony program below means, which included my music and that of different individuals too, and I carried out on the Broadway manufacturing of Grease. I used to be busier than ever! For probably the most half, I used to be doing what I’ve at all times finished…carry out dwell. I used to be searching for a report deal and was letting individuals know that there’s a new album coming. I used to be simply ready for the precise label (Verve), however I toured greater than ever.” In 2003, Jarreau and conductor Larry Baird collaborated on symphony exhibits round the US, with Baird arranging extra orchestral materials for Jarreau’s exhibits.
Jarreau toured and carried out with Joe Pattern, Chick Corea, Kathleen Battle, Gregor Praecht, Miles Davis, George Duke, David Sanborn, Rick Braun, and George Benson. He additionally carried out the function of the Teen Angel in a 1996 Broadway manufacturing of Grease. On March 6, 2001, he obtained a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame, at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard on the nook of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue. In 2006, Jarreau appeared in a duet with American Idolfinalist Paris Bennett in the course of the Season 5 finale and on Superstar Duets singing with actor Cheech Marin. In 2010, Jarreau was a visitor on a Eumir Deodato album, with the track “Double Face” written by Jarreau, Deodato, and Nicolosi. The track was produced by the Italian firm Nicolosi Productions. On February 16, 2012, he was invited to the well-known Italian Competition di Sanremo to sing with the Italian group Matia Bazar.
On February 12, 2017, Jarreau died of respiratory failure, on the age of 76, simply two days after asserting his retirement.
He’s interred within the Forest Garden Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).
