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Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau is a jazz, pop, and R&B vocalist who has the distinction of being the only Vocalist in history to net Grammy awards in those three categories. Al Jarreau was born on April 12, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, into a religious family where his father was a preacher (a vicar), and he often sang at the local church choir, harmonizing with his brothers and performing at a variety of local events in his hometown. He was the fifth of six children and had his first performance at a Garden Fair at the tender age of four.

As a child Al Jarreau was very religious and always wanted to grow up and become a preacher like his Father. Although Jarreau sang from childhood, it was many years before he decided to make singing his full-time occupation. Music was not always the major force in his life. He excelled in sports and was an above-average student throughout high school and college. Enrolling at the respected Ripon College in Wisconsin, Jarreau continued singing for fun, performing locally with a group called The Indigos (who were Ann Hassler, Peter Bock, and Duffy Farr) during weekends and holidays, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. After receiving his master's degree in psychology, Jarreau pursued a career as a social worker, but eventually decided to relocate to Los Angeles and try his hand in show business, playing small clubs throughout the West Coast.

He performed at famed nightspots eg Dino's, the Troubador and the Bitter End West. Shortly thereafter, he branched out to New York City as well, where he gained national network television exposure with Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, David Frost and Mike Douglas as he teamed with guitarist Julio Martinez to "spell" up-and-coming comics John Belushi, Bette Midler, Robert Klein, David Brenner, Jimmie Walker and others at the famed comedy venue, The Improv. In 1975, following an extended stint at the Bla Bla Cafe in Los Angeles, he was spotted by Warner Bros, Records talent scouts and was signed to a recording contract. His debut album for the label, We Got By, was released to unanimous acclaim. Al's first success didn't however come from the States, but in Europe and especially Germany, as he was awarded a Grammy in Germany with the release of "We Got By."A second German Grammy came his way with the release of the follow-up album, "Glow," a reflection of Jarreau's international appeal. 1977 saw Al's first international/world wide tour, spawning the most successful double live album "Look To The Rainbow."

That same year, he won his first American Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance and was singled out for special honors in readers and critics polls in Performance, Cashbox, Downbeat, Stereo Review and other respected music publications. His fourth album, "All Fly Home," was released in 1978 to further accolades and a second Grammy for Best Jazz Vocalist. It was followed by a string of innovative and original offerings, including 1980's "This Time," and the million-selling Breakin' Away, which brought him a broader audience and two more Grammy's with awards for Best Male Pop Vocalist and Best Male Jazz Vocalist. The album resulted in a third Grammy nomination, followed by the second Jay Graydon production, "Breaking Away." In 1983 he released the self-titled "Jarreau" album, which earned gold record certification within two months of its release, as well as cultivated him into an international superstar.

After that, in 1984, the last complete collaboration of Jarreau/Graydon resulted in "High Crime," finding Al Jarreau's career at its peak point and spawned a string of R&B and pop hits. Followed by his second live album, "Al Jarreau In London," his next album "L Is For Lover" was produced by former CHIC producer and guitarist, Nile Rodgers. Hence, his sound changed and turned to more dance oriented stylistics and rhythms. Rodgers also produced Jarreau's contribution to the Original Soundtrack of "Moonlighting," which title song made Al an every evening guest in millions of living rooms.

Jarreau other album's include Heart's Horizon (1988, Warner Bros), Heaven and Earth (1992,Warner Bros), Tenderness (1994, Warner Bros), Best of Al Jarreau (1996, Warner), Tomorrow Today (2000 GRP Records), All I Got (2002, GRP Records) and his most recent album Accentuate The Positive (2004, GRP Records).