Jazz Articles about Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau: Les Double Six, Les Double Six

by William Ellis
June 8, 2013

Double Six--when I was in college in my first year, I formed a singing group patterned along the lines of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross--and Double Six. Double Six changed my life; I listened to them instead of going to class--I think they almost sent me home! Very important music to me, I became friends with Michel Legrand--his sister sang in the group then, and Mimi Perrin--thank you Mimi! we'll all see you soon. So ...

Al Jarreau: Simple and Necessary Happiness

by Esther Berlanga-Ryan
March 12, 2012

There are very few jazz greats that make people who love this music smile in awe while witnessing their beautiful talent. Jazz is larger than life, and they all contribute to its greatness every day, whether it is from a small stage in the Village in New York, or from some old record, spinning while popping and clicking away with that undeniable charm, making the music flow. As long as jazz happens, the magnificence of it all remains flawless and ...

Al Jarreau: The Very Best of: An Excellent Adventure

by Jeff Winbush
December 13, 2009

Al Jarreau is the most successful jazz singer of his time and has enjoyed a career that spans four decades. Oddly though, Jarreau has been never been represented with a career-spanning compilation, and his fans have been patiently waiting for a comprehensive overview. They will have to keep waiting. An Excellent Adventure casts a wider net than the now out-of-print Best of Al Jarreau (Warner Brothers, 1996), but with only 16 tracks is far from definitive. There's ...

Al Jarreau: Christmas Time At Last

by R.J. DeLuke
December 15, 2008

For someone for whom singing has been a part of their life since childhood and who comes from a church-going family, it's a natural thing each year to periodically croon the popular and traditional melodies of the Christmas holiday season. If that person is a professional--perhaps, one who's been singing for decades and has seven Grammys to his credit--it may seem a bit unnatural that he hasn't yet covered the holiday classics on an album.That's precisely been the ...

A Romantic Evening in Central Park 2004

by Jim Santella
September 15, 2004

Pieces Of A Dream, Al Jarreau Central Park in Huntington Beach, California September 11, 2004

A quaint little park area behind the Central Library in Huntington Beach (CA) served as the backdrop for a daylong smooth jazz concert that featured Christine Day, Kevin Toney, Andre Delano, Richard Smith, Brian Bromberg, Pieces Of A Dream and Al Jarreau. L.A. was in the middle of a heat wave, but the park's ample shade trees ...

Al Jarreau: Tomorrow Today

by John Sharpe
August 1, 2000

Smooth pop/jazz vocalists Al Jarreau hasn't released a new record in over six years and hasn't really had a big hit since 1981's Breakin' Away (Warner Bros.). Nevertheless, his voice remains as strong, quirky and flexible as ever, even if he long ago abandoned his jazz beginnings. Unfortunately, Jarreau's song choices now lean towards slick R&B, soft and airy ballads and contemporary pop.Pity. He makes a rather unconvincing attempt at sounding funky on “In My Music" and then ...

Various Artists: A Twist of Jobim

by Douglas Payne
May 1, 1997

This appropriately “smooth jazz" tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim is perhaps one of the best that's come out over the last few years. Like many of Jobim's records, it goes down like a smooth, relaxing drink. Producer, arranger and nominal leader guitarist Lee Ritenour has collected some fine talent, particularly frequent collaborator Dave Grusin, and crafted some very nice moments throughout. Highlights include “Water to Drink" (featuring Ritenour and Grusin), “Captain Bacardi" (an old Ritenour / Grusin staple with Eric ...