Al Jarreau was an acclaimed American singer and songwriter renowned for his versatile vocal abilities across jazz, pop, and R&B genres. Born Alwin Lopez Jarreau on March 12, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was nurtured in a musical family where his mother played the piano, and his father was a singer. Jarreau's musical journey began at age four, performing in church with his brothers, with their mother accompanying them on the piano.
After earning a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, Jarreau initially worked as a rehabilitation counselor before fully embracing music. His major career breakthrough happened in 1975 when Warner Bros. Records signed him following a successful stint at the Bla Bla Cafe in Los Angeles. That year marked the release of his debut album, "We Got By," which garnered critical acclaim and earned him a German Grammy for Best New International Soloist.
Jarreau's unique vocal style, especially his innovative scat singing, distinguished him in the music industry. His 1977 live double album "Look to the Rainbow" earned him his first Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. Over his illustrious career, he won a total of seven Grammy Awards across three genres—jazz, pop, and R&B—making him the first vocalist to achieve this.
Some of Al Jarreau's most notable works include:
Throughout his prolific career, Jarreau released 17 studio albums, 7 live albums, and 6 compilation albums. His discography is adorned with critically acclaimed works such as "Glow" (1976), "All Fly Home" (1978), "This Time" (1980), and "Jarreau" (1983).
Jarreau's unique style left a lasting impact on many singers and instrumentalists. He was proficient across various musical styles, from jazz and R&B to pop. His ability to utilize his voice like an instrument, particularly through scat singing, earned him the nickname "Acrobat of Scat."
Despite his international success, Jarreau always maintained strong ties to his hometown of Milwaukee, frequently returning to inspire young talents. In recognition of his contributions to music, he received honorary degrees from Berklee College of Music in 1991 and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2004.
Jarreau continued to perform and record until the later years of his life. In 2014, he released "My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke," which topped the Billboard Jazz charts. His final album, "Ellington," was released posthumously in 2024.
Al Jarreau passed away on February 12, 2017, in Los Angeles at the age of 76, only days after announcing his retirement from touring. His death marked the end of an era—he was celebrated as one of the last of his kind, a jazz-infused African-American male singer who successfully crossed over to pop stardom.
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