Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau began performing at age four, singing at church with his brothers while their mother accompanied them on piano. ∙ He earned a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation. After finding regional success in his jazz duo with guitarist Julio Martinez, he left his job as a rehabilitation counselor to focus on his music career. ∙ The writers of “We’re in This Love Together,” one of Jarreau’s biggest hits, originally sent it to Johnny Mathis, who never responded." ∙ Jarreau joined Dionne Warwick and Willie Nelson on the second verse of the iconic, multiplatinum charity single “We Are the World.” ∙ Jarreau’s career-defining theme song for the popular ’80s TV series Moonlighting was originally intended for his album L Is for Lover, but he and producer Nile Rodgers dropped it, thinking that it wasn’t “cool enough.” ∙ During a touring hiatus in 1996, Jarreau spent three months performing on Broadway as Teen Angel in Grease. ∙ He won seven Grammy Awards and is the only vocalist ever to do so in three categories—jazz, pop, and R&B."