Born: Mar 12, 1940 in Milwaukee, WI
Genres: Vocal
Styles: Contemporary Jazz, Soft Rock, Pop
Instruments: Vocals

The only vocalist in history to net Grammy awards in three different categories (jazz, pop and R&B, respectively), Al Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 12, 1940; the son of a vicar, he earned his first performing experience singing in the church choir. After receiving his Masters degree in psychology, Jarreau pursued a career as a social worker, but eventually he decided to relocate to Los Angeles and try his hand in show business, playing small clubs throughout the West Coast. In the mid-1960s, he recorded an LP but largely remained an unknown, not re-entering the studio for another decade. Upon signing to Reprise, Jarreau resurfaced in 1975 with We Got By, earning acclaim for his sophisticated brand of vocalese and winning positive comparison to the likes of Billy Eckstine and Johnny Mathis. After 1976's Glow, Jarreau issued the following year's Look to the Rainbow, a two-disc live set which reached the Top 50 on the U.S. album charts. With 1981's Breakin' Away, he entered the Top Ten, scoring a pair of hits with "We're in This Love Together" and the title track. After recording 1986's L Is for Lover with producer Nile Rodgers, Jarreau scored a hit with the theme to the popular television program Moonlighting, but his mainstream pop success was on the wane, and subsequent efforts like 1992's Heaven and Earth and 1994's Tenderness found greater success with adult contemporary audiences.

- Jason Ankeny (All Music Guide)

=======

Джарро Эл (р. 1940, Милуоки, Висконсин) — американский джазовый музыкант (вокал, перкуссия), руководитель ансамбля.

Происходит из франко-креольской семьи. Широкой известности достиг в середине 70-х годов. Чаще всего выступает как солист-энтертэйнер, иногда в сопровождении электро-комбо. Сделал ряд грамзаписей.

Вокалист с уникальными голосовыми данными, талантливый импровизатор и звукоимитатор. Основное русло его экспериментов — мэйнстрим-фьюжн. По отзывам прессы, умеет петь на «тысячу голосов». Способен воссоздавать звучание любых музыкальных инструментов, имитировать ансамбль или даже оркестр. Продемонстрировал неограниченные возможности голоса. Использует самые разнообразные тембровые эффекты и приемы интонирования (крик, плач, стон, смех, парландо и так далее), юмористические трюки, скэт. Внес большой вклад в популяризацию «инструментального пения».

mega.km.ru/rock