Al Jarreau

Legendary singer Al Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...the fifth of six children. His website refers to Reservoir Avenue, the name of the street where he lived in Milwaukee. Al's father was a Seventh-day Adventist Church minister and singer, and his mother was a church pianist. He and his family sang together in church concerts and in benefits, and he and his mother performed at PTA meetings as well. Born Alwin Lopez Jarreau, Al was student council President and Badger Boys State delegate for Lincoln High School...going on to Ripon College, where he also sang with a group called The Indigos. Jarreau graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. He went on to earn a Master's degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Iowa, worked as a rehabilitation counselor in San Francisco and moonlighted with a jazz trio headed by the late, George Duke. In 1967, Al Jarreau joined forces with acoustic guitarist Julio Martinez. The duo became the star attraction at a small Sausalito night club called Gatsby's. This success contributed to Jarreau's decision to make professional singing his life and full-time career.

Mr. Jarreau brought his talents to the Logan Center For The Arts in Chicago where old Al Jarreau fans, as well as the newbie Al Jarreau fans got a rare up close and personal peek into the life and times of the gentle giant of jazz music. When Dedry Jones first started hosting the "Experience With..." series, Al Jarreau was Dedry's 2nd Experience artist. And here years later, Al Jarreau is the 79th Experience artist. During the interview, Al spoke very highly of his latest cd project entitled, "MY OLD FRIEND, CELEBRATING GEORGE DUKE", which features the likes of Gerald Albright, Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen and Jeffrey Osborne. Becoming quite emotional at times, Jarreau spoke of his endearing friendship with the late, George Duke and how he enjoyed working with him. Al performed a couple songs from the new cd, and closed with the popular "We're In This Love Together" from the album, Breaking Away. After his performance, the 7-time Grammy Award winner signed cds and chatted with as many fans as time allowed. Many fans told Al stories of their first time seeing him in concert, and some even brought photos. It goes without saying that Al Jarreau is truly a jazz great. But he is also by far one of the nicest, most coolest people you'd ever want to meet and hang out with!