Celebrating 74 ½ years on earth and 50 of them in the “ministry of music,” multi Grammy winner Al Jarreau spent an evening at the Grammy Museum discussing his latest album My Old Friend and it’s inspiration, the musical and spiritual genius George Duke.
As Jarreau joked during the interview section, he learned his own music skills at church, from his religious parents and from “Duke University. George Duke, to learn swing.” He displayed his wide variety of influences by singing songs ranging from spirituals to a foot stomping polka that displayed his Milwaukee roots (“I know more polkas than Frankie Yankovic!”). His own attitude of singing was reflected in his point that “we each have a thumb print of our own throats” meaning that each of us has to embrace the person God has made and use this distinction of being created to please Him.
As for his singing? Hey, he’s AL JARREAU! With his toe tapping and flexible six piece band, Jarreau used his fun, friendly and elastic voice that automatically puts rhythm in your nursery rhyme. He swung and swayed to material from his new album with tunes like the danceable “Summer Breezin’” before vocalist Josie James popped on stage for a passionate duet on “Sweet Baby” that mixed earthy R&B with wanderlust as the two voices melded together as well as complemented each other. A feisty and funky boogie had the two swapping ad libs and foot stomping lyrics, revving up the band and audience to Warp Drive. Closing, he summarized his attitude on life, music and his faith with a buoyant and life assuring “We’re In This Love Together.” How many artists make you feel this glad, and make art seem so easy? Jarreau is the embodiment of the phrase “con alma.”
www.aljarreau.com