Talented singer Alwin Lopez “Al” Jarreau is internationally known for his ability to sing many styles, from scat singing to his talent of taking on the character of guitar and percussion, all with his versatile voice, has died. He was 76.
Jarreau has topped the music sales charts with more than 20 albums. He is the only vocalist in history to have Grammy Awards in the 3 categories of jazz, pop, and R&B. Jarreau’s has won a total of seven Grammy awards, along with a nomination for the theme song from the ever-popular TV show, Moonlighting.
Jarreau’s biggest single was 1981’s “We’re in This Love Together,” and he was featured on the all-star 1985 song “We Are the World.”
The news of his death, comes just after the seven-time Grammy winner announced his retirement from the entertainment business after hospitalized in Los Angeles for exhaustion, according to the Associated Press. It was unclear what he died from at press time, but Jarreau had fought through respiratory and cardiac issues in recent years.
The singer’s manager, Joe Gordon, released a statement–which was shared with EBONY.com:
Dear friends, family and colleagues,
Al Jarreau passed away this morning, at about 5:30am LA time. He was in the hospital, kept comfortable by Ryan, Susan, and a few of his family and friends.
Ryan and Susan will hold a small, private service at home, for immediate family only. No public service is planned yet, but I will inform you if that changes.
Ryan asks that no flowers or gifts are send to their home or office. Instead, if you are motivated to do so, please make a contribution to the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, a wonderful organization which supports music opportunities, teachers, and scholarships for students in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin. A donation page is here. Even if you do not plan to contribute, please list that page and give yourself a few minutes to…
… watch a beautiful tribute video that Wisconsin Public Television produced to honor Al when he received his lifetime achievement award in October.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Jarreau moved south to Los Angeles after college, where he caught the eye of Warner Bros. talent scouts, who signed the singer to a recording contract. In Los Angeles, Jarreau’s career would take off after the release of his critically acclaimed debut album We Got By. In 1977, Jarreau would win his first of seven Grammy Awards for his live album, Look to the Rainbow.
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