Black and Blues: Al Jarreau’s Piano Music

Al Jarreau was one of the most successful jazz musicians of his generation. His music was a blend of R&B, soul, and pop, and he was known for his signature vocal style. Jarreau also had a gift for piano playing, and his piano solos were a highlight of his live shows. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of Jarreau’s best piano performances.

Who is Al Jarreau?

Al Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 12, 1940. He was a seven-time Grammy Award winner and had a successful music career spanning four decades. He grew up surrounded by music, playing the piano and singing in church choirs. Jazz was his first love, but he also enjoyed listening to R&B, soul, blues, and pop music. He went on to study psychology at the University of Iowa before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music.

Jarreau’s first album, We Got By, was released in 1975. It was a critical and commercial success, earning him a Grammy Award for Best Male Jazz Vocalist. His iconic song “We’re In This Love Together” became a Top 40 hit and helped propel him to stardom. He continued to experiment with different musical styles throughout his career, but he always remained true to his jazz roots.

Al Jarreau passed away on February 12, 2017 after complications from pneumonia. He was 76 years old.

His music

Al Jarreau’s piano music is a mix of blues, jazz, and pop. He is a master of improvisation and his live performances are legendary. His piano playing is often compared to that of Thelonious Monk and Oscar Peterson.

His early years

Al Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 12, 1940, the fifth of six children. His father, an immigrant from Europe and a part-time musician, taught him how to sing harmony. His mother was a gospel singer. He began piano lessons at the age of four and singing in a church choir two years later. When he was in high school, he formed a band called the Indigos with some friends. They gigged around town and even had a two-week stint at the Pabst Theater.

His work with George Duke

Al Jarreau’s work with the great keyboardist George Duke on the album “Givin’ It Up” earned the singer his tenth Grammy Award, for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, in 2006. The pair had first worked together on Jarreau’s 1981 album, Breakin’ Away.

His later years

Al Jarreau’s later years were spent touring and recording with jazz greats such as George Benson, Joe Sample, and Tommy Flanagan. He also continued to release solo albums, including 1994’s “Tenderness” and 1997’s “Glow.” His final album, “My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke,” was released in 2013.

Jarreau continued to perform live until his health began to fail in 2017. He announced his retirement from touring in February of that year, citing exhaustion and a desire to spend more time with his family. He died less than two months later, on February 12, 2017, at the age of 76.

His piano music

Al Jarreau’s piano music is a mix of blues, jazz, and pop. He often uses a lot of seventh chords, and his music is generally light and easy to listen to. Jarreau’s piano style is very improvisational, and he often uses a lot of humor in his playing.

His early years

Al Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 12, 1940, the fifth of six children. He was named after music icon Al Jolson. His father was a technician for the Amtrak railroad. His mother was a churchWoman. When he was four years old, his father taught him how to sing gospels in perfect four-part harmony. He began formal piano lessons at age seven, studying jazz and classical music on the instrument.

He graduated from Ripon College in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He then spent two years studyng at The University of Iowa, earning a Masters degree in Vocational Rehabilitation.

His work with George Duke

Al Jarreau first worked with George Duke on the 1976 album, From Me to You. The two musiciens collaborated on several other albums throughout Duke’s career, including: 1977’s Northern Lights, 1978’s Follow the Rainbow, 1979’s A Brazilian Love Affair, and 1981’s Rendezvous.

His later years

Al Jarreau’s final studio album, My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke, was released in 2014. The album featured versions of Duke’s songs, including “Mornin'” and “Sweet Baby”. Jarreau retired from touring in 2017 due to failing health. He died on February 12, 2017, at the age of 76.