Legendary jazz singer Al Jarreau dead at 76

Shortly after announcing he was retiring from touring after being hospitalized for exhaustion, jazz legend Al Jarreau has passed away Sunday morning in Los Angeles.

He was 76.

Al Jarreau death details

The singer’s manager released a statement regarding his death:

Dear friends, family and colleagues,

Al Jarreau passed away this morning, at about 5:30am LA 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 send 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.

Music Career

Al Jarreau was born and bred in Milwaukee, WI, the singer’s style is what catapulted him as one of jazz’s greatest vocalists.

While at college receiving his 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.

Wanting to pursue music full-time, Al Jarreau moved to Los Angeles later signing to Warner Bros. Records.

His career would soon take off after the release of his album We Got By. He then won his first Grammy in 1977 for his live album Look To The Rainbow. 

During his career Jarreau would release 16 studio albums, a host of live albums, and several compilations.