AL JARREAU, 76, on Feb. 12 in Los Angeles after being hospitalized for exhaustion. A versatile vocalist who defied categorization for decades, he was best known for his 1981 album, Breakin’ Away, that made him a pop star. In 1985, he penned the theme song for the popular TV show, Moonlighting, where millions heard his voice every week. He won seven Grammy Awards and was nominated for more than a dozen more. A NPR interviewer said, “He was famous for his scat singing, using his voice like an instrument.” People Magazine wrote: “He doesn’t so much sing as play his voice.”
He graduated from Ripon College with a degree in psychology and the University of Iowa with a Master’s in vocational rehabilitation. He was known for promoting literacy and the importance of keeping children exposed to music. His friends and fans lauded him for his compassion and caring for those around him.
