Al Jarreau
Biography
The only vocalist in history to net Grammy Awards in three different categories (jazz, pop, and R&B, respectively), Al Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, WI, on March 12, 1940. The son of a vicar, he earned his first performing experience singing in the church choir. After receiving his master's degree in psychology, Jarreau pursued a career as a social worker, but eventually he decided to relocate to Los Angeles and try his hand in show business, playing small clubs throughout the West Coast.
He recorded an LP in the mid-'60s, but largely remained an unknown, not reentering the studio for another decade. Upon signing to Reprise, Jarreau resurfaced in 1975 with We Got By, earning acclaim for his sophisticated brand of vocalese and winning positive comparison to the likes of Billy Eckstine and Johnny Mathis. After 1976's Glow, Jarreau issued the following year's Look to the Rainbow, a two-disc live set that reached the Top 50 on the U.S. album charts. With 1981's Breakin' Away, he entered the Top Ten, scoring a pair of hits with "We're in This Love Together" and the title track. After recording 1986's L Is for Lover with producer Nile Rodgers, Jarreau scored a hit with the theme to the popular television program Moonlighting, but his mainstream pop success was on the wane, and subsequent efforts like 1992's Heaven and Earth and 1994's Tenderness found greater success with adult contemporary audiences.
A string of budget compilations and original albums hit the shelves at the end of the decade, but into the turn of the century his original output slowed down. That was until he signed with the Verve/GRP label in 1998 and reunited with producer Tommy LiPuma. LiPuma had produced Jarreau's ostensible 1975 debut, We Got By, and the pairing seemed to reinvigorate Jarreau, who went on to release three stellar albums under LiPuma's guidance, including 2000's Tomorrow Today, 2002's All I Got, and 2004's Accentuate the Positive. Givin' It Up, recorded with George Benson and released in 2006, was nominated for three Grammy Awards -- each one for a different song. Jarreau returned with his first ever full-length holiday-themed album, Christmas, in 2008. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Accentuate The Positive
2004

All I Got
2002

Tomorrow Today
2000

Heart's Horizon
1988

High Crime
1984
also want to add i LOVE Al Jarreau, saw him in concert before and he was great!!if anyone elsosaw him in cincinnati would appreciate yur comments, thanks
|
||
Al Jarreau will be in Cincinnati this Sat. Oct 17th and I am certainly going (already got my tickets). He will be at the Aronoff Theatre in a single presentation . What a luxury for us to have him in town!
|
||
Ah...the unmistakeabl e distinct voice of Al. When you hear it, you know it's him! The original crooner of jazz.
|
||
does anyone wanna go waltzin' in the garden?
does anyone wanna go dance up on the roof? |
||
caught Al in dallas, he came into the crowd and got him some cheese from one of patons and went back on stage and showed out. Love that Bro. what a voice.
|
||
I can listen to Al Jarreau 24/7/365. I've seen him numerous times in concert in New York over the years and have enjoyed each and every one. AJ is one of the few artists whose music I'll purchase before I've heard the music!!!
|
||
I saw Al Jarreau in Manila while I was stationed with the Air Force in the Phillipines. He put on an excellent show and I would advise anyone to see him if the opportunity came up.
|
||
I'm looking for the live album he made but with ALL of the songs. I've got an abridged version on cd, but not the whole album. Any ideas?
|
||
Saw Al Jarreau in a small, ballroom concert at the Bellagio in early 2001. He was perfect!
|
||
very few artist have an instrument of voice as Jarreau - always with perfection - for years MY EARS LOVE YOU-MY MIND PROCESSES WITH MUCH DISTINCTION! !
|
||
The king of the instrumental voice with wonderful passion in each word he sings. That's what I love most about Al Jerreau what you feel in his projection. He's in my top 5. Guess what number?
|
||
I am looking for the album Heaven and Earth, made by Al Jarreau in the early 90's.
|
||
I just adore Al Jarreau and his smooth sounds. I have been a fan of his for a long time. Keep the music coming Al.
|
||
He is performing at the Resorts in Atlantic City NJ on Saturday!
|
||
Great performer have had priviledge of seeing him perform twice.
|
||
I saw him in concert back home in Michigan. Absolutely blew me away!!! I cried the entire time.
|
||
i grew up with his music in my mind and heart and will always love him.
|
||
I own every album he has ever made! I fell in love with him in college listing to the album All Fly Home. I've been hooked ever since.
|
||
Where are "Alonzo" and "Spain" and "Tell me what I gotta do". Pandora needs these tunes to make their Al J catalog to really pop. that's my 2 cents.
|
||
I am a old school & new school Al Jarreau fan.I love Love Speaks Louder Than Words,
Random Act's Of Love,Secrets Of Love 2 name a few Oh I forgot Take Five.It's a shame that radio stations don't play him too often or not at all. What a generation is missing!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! |
||
I feel as if I've been "Born Again" again, of course I'd loved Al Jarreau from the very first. We got bye is one of my favorites. But I really Love Pandora!
|
||
We had the pleasure of bringing Al Jarreau to Nashville to Headline the 2005 Music City Jazz, Blues & Heritage Festival. Al's vocal exploits wowed the more than 10,000 fans who witnessed his awesome artistry. He is simply the perfect music note realized in the flesh. Al, you're the best! www.nbl4u.co m
|
||
I absolutely love Al Jarreau. Always have and always will. There's just a quality in his sound that can't be copied. Of course some things are "master favorites". If I had a personal theme song, it would be "Bright and Sunny". Then every Christmas I alway play his rendention of "The Christmas Song". It's not Christmas until I play that song. If I had ever had a son, his middle name would have been "Jarreau".
|
||
I don't know about the critics, but his cover of "She's Leaving Home" is amazing.
|
||
Hi I'm jackie from miami I just want to let you know I love your music. Thanks keep up the good work. whitleyjazz.
|
||
I am starting to sing Jazz on a professional level and, although I am female, I am using Al Jarreau as my mentor. He is the greatest jazz vocalist of all time in my opinion!
|
||
Have been infatuated with Al since "Never Givin Up" which I heard when I was a sophomore in high school. Just love his voice--none other like it in music. He seems like a great guy, too. Seen him many times in concert; he is AWESOME with an orchestra. Al: you rock! I wish you many more years of singing and success!
|
||
Saw him about a year ago, have been listening to him for 25 years, after seeing him in person, I am even a bigger fan, a class act as an artist and person.
|
||
I think I got every cut he ever made. Totally awesome singer and composer! It all started with "We Got By"
|
| report abuse |



