Al Jarreau, Grammy-winning pop and jazz musician passed away on 12 February 2017 at the age of 76.
He was born into a musical household in Milwaukee on 12 March 1940.
His mother was a piano teacher and father, a minister and singer.
He completed his masters in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Iowa and then moved to San Francisco in late 1960s.
He did not begin a full-time musical career until he was nearly 30.
In 1976, he released his debut album ‘We Got By’ that got him international recognition. He also won the Echo award for the album (the German equivalent of the Grammy’s).
He won his first Grammy award- Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1978 for his album, ‘Look to the Rainbow’.
His other major hits include ‘We’re in This Love Together’, ‘Breakin’ Away’ and the theme song of a popular TV show, ‘Moonlighting’.
He was also one of the musicians in the all-star lineup who sang ‘We Are the World’, in 1985 which financed famine relief in Africa.
Al Jarreau earned the nickname ‘Acrobat of Scat’ due to his innovative vocal styling.
He has released more than 20 albums and won a total of seven Grammy Awards.
