Legendary jazz vocalist Al Jarreau has died just 4 days after announcing his retirement from performing. He was 76.
Mr. Jarreau was recently hospitalized in Los Angeles suffering from “exhaustion”. He canceled a performance scheduled for Feb. 24 at the Genesee Theater in Wuakegan, Illinois.
About 1,000 ticket holders received emails informing them of Mr. Jarreau’s illness and the canceled tour date.
On Sunday morning, the singer’s manager, Joe Gordon, released a statement announcing Mr. Jarreau’s death.
The statement reads in part:
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.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested contributions be made to the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music in Mr. Jarreau’s name.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, young Jarreau performed at social gatherings and PTA meetings with his mother. After graduating from Ripon College in 1962 with a bachelor of science degree in psychology, Mr. Jarreau decided to sing full-time. He began performing in nightclubs around the country.
In 1975, he was spotted by Warner Bros. Records and offered a recording contract.
His first album, We Got By, was well received and made him an international star. Over the course of his career he won 8 Grammy Awards. His best known album is Breaking Away, including the hits “We’re in This Love Together” and “Teach Me Tonight”.
Mr. Jarreau is pictured in 2001 with his 2nd wife Susan Jarreau and their son, Ryan, who was with his dad when he died.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la0eUKD9kNw
Photo: WENN.com
