Grammy-Winning Jazz, R&B Singer Al Jarreau Dies at 76
LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) -- Grammy-winning jazz singer Al Jarreau has died in a Los Angeles hospital just days after announcing his retirement from touring due to exhaustion.
In a statement, Joe Gordon, Jarreau's manager said the singer died 5:30am PST, while in the hospital. He was comfortable and surrounded by his friends and family.
Milwaukee native Jarreau is best known his hit songs "Mornin'," "After All," "We're In This Love Together" and the theme to the hit series "Moonlighting" starring Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd. The song earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television, which was written by Jarreau and writing partner Lee Holdridge.
In 1962, after earning a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Iowa, Jarreau got a job in San Francisco as a rehabilitation counselor.
At night, he moonlighted as a jazz musician, performing with Bay Area jazz great, George Duke as part of his trio. Jarreau then partnered with acoustic guitarist Julio Martinez and performed at Gatsby's in Sausalito. This pairing is said to have led to Jarreau's decision to take music on as his lifelong career.
Jarreau is a seven-time Grammy Award-winner. His last Grammy win was in 2006 for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "God Bless The Child" with George Benson and Jill Scott.
Jarreau is survived by his wife Susan and his son Ryan.
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