Al Jarreau's unique vocal style is one of the world's most precious treasures. His innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time with seven Grammy Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide.Singing since the age of four in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jarreau honed his vocal skills performing locally with his family and a group called the Indigos at Ripon College. After earning his Master's Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Iowa, Jarreau relocated to California where he began attracting attention at such famed nightspots as Dino's, The Troubadour and the Bitter End West. He gained national network television exposure with Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, David Frost and Mike Douglas. Jarreau 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, he released his debut album, “We Got By”, to international acclaim. Jarreau was awarded a German Grammy for Best New International Soloist that same year. A second German Grammy came his way with the release of his follow-up album, “Glow”.
Jarreau's career breakthrough came in 1977 with “Look to the Rainbow”, his live double album, which was culled from his first world tour from that same year, and earned the vocalist his first American Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. 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 “This Time” (1980), and the million-selling “Breakin' Away”, which brought him a broader audience and two more Grammys with awards for Best Male Pop Vocalist and Best Male Jazz Vocalist.
In 1983, he released Jarreau followed closely the following year by “High Crime”. Both albums spawned a string of R&B and pop hits, and further cemented him as an international superstar. From 1985 to 1994, Jarreau continued to record, win new fans and garner worldwide acclaim with releases like “Al Jarreau- Live in London”, “L is For Lover”, “Heart's Horizon” which contained the #2 R&B smash "So Good," “Heaven and Earth” for which he received his fifth Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance and more. He even sang the Grammy-nominated theme song for the hit television series “Moonlighting”.
Additional Jarreau milestone albums include “Tomorrow Today” (2001), “All I Got” (2002), “Accentuate the Positive” (2004) and “Givin' It Up” (2006) featuring his peer, the legendary R&B guitarist and singer George Benson, as well as guest artists including Herbie Hancock, Sir Paul McCartney, Jill Scott, Chris Botti and Patti Austin and more. That dual Grammy award winning effort gave way to “Love Songs” (2008), “Christmas” (2008) and “The Very Best of Al Jarreau: An Excellent Adventure” (2009).
A multi-talented performer, Jarreau has appeared on Broadway as Teen Angel in the 1994 revival of GREASE! as well as guest-starred on the television series “New York Undercover” and “Touched By An Angel”. He has received his own star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" commemorating his status as one of the best singers of his generation.
Al Jarreau will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Monday September 26, 2011.
