Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life, music, and legacy of Al Jarreau — the “Acrobat of Scat” whose vocal versatility spanned jazz, pop, and R&B. Discover his biography, major achievements, famous quotes, and timeless lessons.

Introduction

Al Jarreau (March 12, 1940 – February 12, 2017) remains one of the most distinctive voices in modern music. Able to traverse jazz, pop, and R&B with startling agility, he earned the rare distinction of winning Grammy Awards in three different genres. Known for his improvisational flair, his warm stage presence, and his unassuming character, Jarreau often turned concerts into conversations with audiences. His life was not just about melodies and applause — it was about pushing vocal boundaries, connecting beyond genre labels, and inspiring those who believe music can heal.

In this article, we’ll trace his journey from Milwaukee church choirs to global stages; unpack his influences, innovations, and challenges; present a curated set of his most meaningful quotes; and draw practical lessons from his life and art.

Early Life and Family

Alwin Lopez “Al” Jarreau was born on March 12, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fifth of six children.

From an early age, Jarreau was exposed to the rhythms and harmonies of gospel music. He later recalled sitting next to his mother on the piano bench during church, absorbing the sounds of organ, hymn, and choir.

Though family and church nurtured his earliest musical impulses, Jarreau's later path would blend those roots with formal education and broader explorations.

Youth and Education

After finishing high school, Jarreau enrolled at Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he continued to foster his musical interests. He sang with a campus vocal group called the Indigos. Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Iowa.

For several years, Jarreau worked as a rehabilitation counselor in San Francisco, helping individuals with disabilities.

This dual life—service by day, music by night—reflects something central about Jarreau: he did not take for granted the gift of voice. He built discipline, perspective, and humility before fully committing to music.

Career and Achievements

Early Musical Forays and Breakthroughs

By the late 1960s, Jarreau had begun to devote himself more fully to performance. He paired with guitarist Julio Martinez, performing in small clubs such as Gatsby’s in Sausalito. The Johnny Carson Show, Merv Griffin, and David Frost.

In 1975, Jarreau released his debut album We Got By, which began drawing attention in jazz circles. Glow (1976), further cemented his reputation, and soon came a first Grammy win (for Look to the Rainbow) in 1978 in the category Best Jazz Vocal Performance.

Commercial Success & Genre-Crossing

Jarreau’s real breakout to general audiences came with his 1981 album Breakin’ Away, which stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for two years. 1982 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and pushed him beyond the jazz niche.

Jarreau's versatility showed in his ability to bridge genres. Over his career, he earned Grammy Awards in jazz, pop, and R&B categories—an uncommon achievement. Jarreau (1983) and High Crime (1984) combined smooth jazz, R&B grooves, and pop sensibilities. Moonlighting.

He collaborated with luminaries such as George Duke, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, George Benson, and others. We Are the World, singing a line in that 1985 humanitarian anthem.

Jarreau’s live performances became legendary. Critics often called him the “Acrobat of Scat” for his daring vocal improvisations and exacting control over tone and rhythm.

Later Life, Awards, and Final Years

Jarreau’s later recordings continued to find critical acclaim. His 1992 album Heaven and Earth earned him a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, solidifying his presence in R&B as well. 10 Grammy Awards.

In 2001, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In the latter part of his life, Jarreau faced health challenges. In 2010, he was hospitalized in France with respiratory issues and cardiac arrhythmias.

In February 2017, shortly after canceling tour dates due to exhaustion, Jarreau died of respiratory failure in Los Angeles at the age of 76.

Historical & Cultural Context

Jarreau’s ascent came during a period when jazz was shifting. The latter half of the 20th century saw genre boundaries blur: jazz fusion, smooth jazz, R&B, pop, and soul freely interacted. Jarreau stood at that intersection. He embraced influences from gospel, soul, and radio pop without relinquishing jazz’s improvisational spirit.

His era also saw growing opportunities for crossover success — but many artists remained pigeonholed (jazz-only or R&B-only). Jarreau resisted that compartmentalization, deliberately crafting music in multiple idioms.

Moreover, his faith-inflected musical upbringing connected him to traditions of African American church music, which have long influenced jazz, blues, and soul. He never completely shed his roots, even as he embraced world stages.

The late 20th century also challenged artists to maintain authenticity in an age of commercialization. Jarreau walked that tightrope—achieving widespread success while retaining vocal daring and emotional sincerity.

Legacy and Influence

Al Jarreau’s legacy is multifaceted:

• Vocal innovation: His mastery of scat, vocal percussion, and spontaneous improvisation expanded what a human voice could do.

• Genre-bridging success: Being able to win Grammys in jazz, pop, and R&B carved him a rare position in music history.

• Performance excellence: Many of his live albums and concert recordings are cited as prime examples of vocal artistry in action.

• Inspiration to others: Contemporary singers often cite Jarreau’s fearless technique and humility as models.

• Cultural recognition: His presence on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honorary degrees, and continued streaming popularity affirm his enduring significance.

Though he is no longer alive, his recordings remain active, his techniques studied, and his spirit invoked by vocalists who aim to push boundaries.

Personality and Talents

Jarreau was known for his humility, warmth, and generosity. Despite his virtuosity, he rarely dwelled on technical showmanship for its own sake. Instead, he aimed to connect with audiences. In interviews he often emphasized gratitude, hard work, and staying grounded.

He was also deeply spiritual, shaped by his religious upbringing. This outlook gave his work a reflective dimension, anchored not just in entertainment but in meaning.

On the technical side, Jarreau possessed extraordinary vocal versatility — from delicate tenor lines to percussive syllables, from smooth legato to raw improvisation. Critics often called him “acrobatic” in his vocal approach. His tone, sense of phrasing, and ability to inhabit lyric and instrument alike made him a rare breed.

Famous Quotes of Al Jarreau

Here is a selection of memorable sayings from Jarreau that reflect his artistic philosophy and life perspective:

“Once you discover that you can, then you must. And it’s not easy. You have to take direct steps.” “The work must be its own reward. I got that early on.” “You pray for things and accept the blessings when they come. It is about how you talk to yourself … about what you want to happen in your life.” “Jazz brought this sense of democracy, where four guys come together and your name may be on the marquee, but in this moment … it’s you, and we follow you.” “It’s a wonderful thing to have life and to look at all this creation and say thank you. I even say it on stage.” “I sat on the piano bench next to my mother in church… My dad was a brilliant singer. I was hearing it.” “Every good gospel singer you can hear is a scat singer; they’re just using different syllables.”

These quotes underscore how Jarreau merged humility, artistry, spirituality, and intention.

Lessons from Al Jarreau

Here are practical lessons we can draw from his life:

1. Embrace cross-disciplinary growth. Jarreau’s psychological and counseling education did not deter his musical path—it enriched it.

2. Don’t be boxed in by genre. His refusal to accept being labeled strictly “jazz” allowed for broader creativity and audience reach.

3. Let your work be its own reward. As he put it, internal standards mattered more than external applause.

4. Stay grounded through gratitude. His frequent references to “thank you” show that even stars benefit from humility.

5. Practice consistently. His improvisational brilliance came from years of disciplined performance, not sudden genius.

6. Connect, don’t perform at. His concerts felt like shared experiences, not one-way presentations.

7. Health and balance matter. Jarreau faced health crises later in life, a reminder that sustained artistry also requires sustained care.

Conclusion

Al Jarreau’s life story is much more than a catalog of awards and albums. It is the tale of a man who learned to nurture his gift, honor his roots, and expand his own boundaries. With a voice capable of dancing through idioms and a heart grounded in gratitude, he remains a model for artists and listeners alike.

His legacy invites us to ask: What can a person doing something they love yet fearlessly push beyond genre or expectation achieve? For those curious, his songs, performances, and the spirit behind them remain accessible—and full of insight.

Explore his albums, listen for the subtleties of his scat and phrasing, and return often to the lessons of humility, perseverance, and musical daring he left behind.