Al Jarreau, the Grammy Award-winning jazz and R&B singer — passed away Sunday morning (February 12). His management confirmed his passing, revealing the vocalist died early this morning in an L.A. hospital. He was 76.
The news comes just days after Jarreau announced he would be retiring from the world of touring after entering the hospital for exhaustion. It also follows an incident in 2010, when he fell critically ill right before a concert in France.
Jarreau's manager, Joe Gordon, has shared the following statement regarding the singer's death:
Dear friends, family and colleagues,
Al Jarreau passed away this morning, at about 5:30 a.m. Los Angeles 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 sent 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's unique singing style helped to make him one of jazz's greatest vocalists. During college, where he received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, Jarreau performed with a local group called The Indigos before moving to San Francisco. There he hooked up with fellow jazz great George Duke to form a trio.
Inspired to pursue music full time, Jarreau moved south to Los Angeles, 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.
Among Jarreau's many hit songs are the likes of "We're in This Love Together," "Never Givin' Up," "After All," "Boogie Down" and the theme song to the TV series Moonlighting.
The news comes just days after Jarreau announced he would be retiring from the world of touring after entering the hospital for exhaustion. It also follows an incident in 2010, when he fell critically ill right before a concert in France.
Jarreau's manager, Joe Gordon, has shared the following statement regarding the singer's death:
Dear friends, family and colleagues,
Al Jarreau passed away this morning, at about 5:30 a.m. Los Angeles 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 sent 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's unique singing style helped to make him one of jazz's greatest vocalists. During college, where he received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, Jarreau performed with a local group called The Indigos before moving to San Francisco. There he hooked up with fellow jazz great George Duke to form a trio.
Inspired to pursue music full time, Jarreau moved south to Los Angeles, 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.
Among Jarreau's many hit songs are the likes of "We're in This Love Together," "Never Givin' Up," "After All," "Boogie Down" and the theme song to the TV series Moonlighting.
