Al Jarreau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Al Jarreau
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Jarreau in 1997
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alwin Lopez Jarreau |
| Born | March 12, 1940 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | February 12, 2017 (aged 76) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1961–2017 |
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Alwin Lopez Jarreau (born March 12, 1940 – died February 12, 2017) was an American singer and musician. He was known for his amazing voice and unique style.
His 1981 album, Breakin' Away, was a huge success. It stayed on the Billboard charts for two years. This album helped define the pop and R&B sound of Los Angeles. It also won Jarreau a Grammy Award in 1982 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Throughout his career, Al Jarreau won seven Grammy Awards. He was also nominated for many more. He sang the famous theme song for the 1980s TV show Moonlighting. He was also one of the many stars who sang on the charity song "We Are the World" in 1985.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
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Al Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 12, 1940. He was the fifth of six children in his family. His father was a minister and a singer. His mother was a church pianist.
Music was a big part of his early life. Al and his family often sang together in church. They also performed at charity events. Al and his mother even sang at school meetings.
Jarreau was a bright student. He was president of his student council in high school. He also attended Ripon College (Wisconsin). There, he sang with a group called the Indigos. He earned a degree in psychology in 1962. Later, he got a master's degree in rehabilitation from the University of Iowa.
Before becoming a full-time singer, Jarreau worked as a counselor in San Francisco. He also sang jazz at night with a trio led by George Duke. In 1967, he teamed up with guitarist Julio Martinez. They became very popular at a club in Sausalito, California. This success helped Jarreau decide to become a professional singer.
A Star's Journey
In 1968, Al Jarreau decided to focus on jazz music. He started performing in famous clubs in California. He also appeared on popular TV shows. These included shows hosted by Johnny Carson and Mike Douglas. He even performed at The Improv, a comedy club, between acts of rising stars.
Around this time, he started writing his own songs. His spiritual beliefs began to influence his music.
In 1975, a record company called Warner Bros. Records discovered Jarreau. He then released his first album, We Got By. This album made him famous around the world. It also won him an Echo Award, which is like a Grammy in Germany. His second album, Glow, also won an Echo Award. In 1978, he won his first Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for his album, Look to the Rainbow.
Hit Songs and Awards
One of Jarreau's most successful albums was Breakin' Away (1981). It featured the hit song "We're in This Love Together". This album earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
In 1983, he released the album Jarreau. It became his third number one album on the Billboard Jazz charts. It also had hit singles like "Mornin'", "Boogie Down", and "Trouble in Paradise".
Jarreau was known for his unique vocal techniques. He often used scat singing, which is singing with sounds instead of words. He was sometimes called the "Acrobat of Scat". He also used vocal percussion, making drum-like sounds with his voice.
He was a featured singer on the famous charity song "We Are the World". He sang the line, "...and so we all must lend a helping hand."
Later Career and Collaborations
Al Jarreau took a break from recording new music in the 1990s. However, he continued to tour a lot. He performed with symphony orchestras. He also appeared in the Broadway musical Grease. He said he was "busier than ever" performing live.
He performed with many other famous musicians. These included Joe Sample, Chick Corea, and George Benson. On March 6, 2001, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is a special honor for entertainers.
In 2006, Jarreau sang with American Idol finalist Paris Bennett. He also sang with actor Cheech Marin on the show Celebrity Duets. In 2009, a children's book called Ashti Meets Birdman Al was inspired by his music.
Personal Life
Al Jarreau was married twice. He had a son named Ryan with his second wife, Susan Elaine Player. Susan was also a photographer. She took pictures for several of Al Jarreau's album covers. She even inspired one of his songs, "Susan's Song".
Health and Passing
In July 2010, Jarreau became ill while performing in France. He was treated for breathing and heart problems. He recovered and continued to tour for several more years.
In June 2012, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. This caused him to cancel some concerts. But he made a full recovery and kept performing.
In February 2017, Al Jarreau was hospitalized for exhaustion. He announced his retirement from touring. Sadly, he passed away on February 12, 2017, at the age of 76. This was just two days after he announced his retirement.
He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills). His headstone has lyrics from his song "Mornin'": "Like any man/I can reach out my hand/And touch the face of God".
Discography
- We Got By (1975)
- Glow (1976)
- All Fly Home (1978)
- This Time (1980)
- Breakin' Away (1981)
- 1965 (1982)
- Jarreau (1983)
- High Crime (1984)
- L Is for Lover (1986)
- Heart's Horizon (1988)
- Heaven and Earth (1992)
- Tomorrow Today (2000)
- All I Got (2002)
- Accentuate the Positive (2004)
- Givin' It Up (2006)
- Christmas (2008)
- My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke (2014)
Awards and Honors
Al Jarreau won many awards during his career. He was especially known for his Grammy Awards.
Grammy Awards
Al Jarreau won seven Grammy Awards. He was nominated for many more.
| Year | Category | Result |
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| 1978 | Best Jazz Vocal Performance | Won |
| 1979 | Best Jazz Vocal Performance | Won |
| 1981 | Best Recording for Children (shared with other artists) | Won |
| 1982 | Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male | Won |
| 1982 | Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male | Won |
| 1986 | Record of the Year (for "We Are the World" with USA for Africa) | Won |
| 1986 | Song of the Year (for "We Are the World" with USA for Africa) | Won |
| 1986 | Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals (for "We Are the World" with USA for Africa) | Won |
| 1986 | Best Music Video, Short Form (for "We Are the World" with USA for Africa) | Won |
| 1993 | Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male | Won |
| 2007 | Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance | Won |
Other Honors
- 2001: Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- 2012: Inducted into the SoulMusic Hall of Fame.
- 1991: Received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.
- 2004: Received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
- 1982: Sang the National Anthem at Game 5 of the 1982 World Series.
See also
In Spanish: Al Jarreau para niños
