Al Jarreau’s Diary from Singapore October 2009 October 12, 2009admin No CommentSingapore In 1918, Sir Stamford Riles and the British East India Company established a trading post on this Malaysian Island. These days, an explosion of modern and ultra-modern construction mixes well with the traditional. They drive on the wrong (left) side of the road like the Brits and speak English better than you and me. And are the gentlest, sweetest polite and kind people of any on the planet. Even standing room only was sold out at The Esplanade, a venue of ultra modern design, but a cozy inside with the first row touchable from the stage—Wonderful! Wonderful response without hesitation. Audiences in Asia can be shy and reserved. Wow, what a fantastic surprise. Don’t lose that, Singapore! It makes the performers find more to give. We even deviated from the planned program, throwing in Autumn Leaves (I got lost, but it was OK for the moment’s sake.) The audience sang with strong enthusiasm on choruses but really killed me with one single word and note that they sang… “I,” the final word in “Waltz for Debbie.” Classic Jazz! Composer Bill Evans rejoiced in heaven. Liza, the promoter IMG Artists, and I vowed to do it again next year. THANK YOU SINGAPORE! Love, Al Singapore Sun Festival diary, newsShare : Tweet
Al Jarreau on Channel News Asia – Singapore October 5, 2009admin No Comment Al Jarreau: Free spirited vocal talent Jarreau is one who’s clearly very happy when he sings and it shows. The versatile vocalist who is in town for the Singapore Sun Festival at The Esplanade, breaks into song every now and then during his interview with Primetime Morning, and is all smiles when doing so. When asked when he discovered his love for music, he points to his tummy and says “in my mother’s stomach.” “I really think so! Because by age four, I was singing little garden recitals. I must have been singing before then. I have photos of me in the garden singing. So, a long, long time ago, I found this love.” Read the full article here newsShare : Tweet
Take Five With Al Jarreau In Singapore September 22, 2009admin No Commenthttp://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_432959.html RENOWNED jazz singer Al Jarreau’s most distinctive trait, the improvised vocal style called scatting, comes from trying to imitate the instrumentalists he admires. His singing, which has propelled a prolific career that spans four decades, was heavily influenced by the keyboard styles of legendary American musicians George Duke, Chick Corea and Count Basie. ‘There is a thing that they do that represents excellence. It makes you want to follow it in your own work,’ says Jarreau, 69, who will be in town next month to perform at the Singapore Sun Festival. Speaking to Life! from his home in Los Angeles, the seven-time Grammy Award winner calls his staccato yet flowing singing delivery ‘vocal percussion’. Read the full article here (PDF) newsShare : Tweet
Al to co-host the The Brian McKnight Morning Show with Pat Prescott tomorrow morning! September 21, 2009admin No CommentListen to the show LIVE by clicking here: http://player.play.it/player/player.html?v=4.7.124&id=69&onestat=ktwv newsShare : Tweet
Banners! September 21, 2009admin No CommentHelp get the word about Al’s brand new album, “The Very Best Of: An Excellent Adventure” with these animated GIF banners. To use them, simply click the thumbnails below to view full size, then just save to your computer and then feel free to post to your own site, Facebook, MySpace, etc! 300x250 468x60 728x90 newsShare : Tweet
AL JARREAU – THE VERY BEST OF: AN EXCELLENT ADVENTURE September 16, 2009admin No CommentRhino Hits The High Notes of the Seven-Time Grammy® Winner’s Career With A 16-Song Collection That Features The Beloved Singer’s Greatest Hits Along With A Brand New Song Available from Rhino September 29 LOS ANGELES – Considered by many to be the greatest living jazz singer, Al Jarreau is an artist of stunning range. He’s spent decades bending genres with his lithe voice, earning him the rare distinction of being the only artist to have won Grammy Awards in three different categories: pop, jazz and R&B. Rhino honors the superlative vocalist’s musical achievements with a collection that spans his entire career. AL JARREAU – THE VERY BEST OF: AN EXCELLENT ADVENTURE will be available September 29 from all retail outlets, including www.rhino.com, for a suggested list price of $18.98 (physical) and $11.99 (digital). The 16-song compilation bridges the past and the present, bringing together Jarreau’s greatest recordings with his latest, “Excellent Adventure,” recorded especially for this release. The track was produced by Richard Nichols and The Randy Watson Experience (Grammy-winning songwriter James Poyser, and The Roots drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson), who have produced songs for Erykah Badu, Al Green and The Roots. The collection surveys Jarreau’s life in music, spotlighting such notable songs as “We Got By,” the title track from his 1975 major-label debut; “Take Five” from Look To The Rainbow, the breakout album that earned him the 1977 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal; “(Round, Round, Round) Blues Rondo A La Turk,” the 1981 Grammy winner for Jazz Vocal Performance Male; and the title track from Breakin’ Away, the 1981 Grammy winner for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. All told, Jarreau has earned seven Grammy awards, with wins in four decades and continues to tour extensively in the US and all over the world. Among the smash albums represented on AL JARREAU – THE VERY BEST OF: AN EXCELLENT ADVENTURE are 1976’s Glow (“Rainbow In Your Eyes”), 1980’s This Time (“Spain,” “Never Givin’ Up”), 1981’s Breakin’ Away (“Roof Garden,” “We’re In This Love Together”), 1983’s Jarreau (“Boogie Down,” “Mornin’”), 1984’s High Crime (“After All”), 1988’s Heart’s Horizon (“So Good”), 2000’s Tomorrow Today (“Just To Be Loved”), and 2004’s Accentuate The Positive(“Cold Duck”). Also featured is “Moonlighting,” the theme song from the hit television show starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis. For additional information regarding AL JARREAU – THE VERY BEST OF: AN EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, please contact Christoph Buerger in the Rhino Entertainment Media Relations Department at (818) 238-6248 or christoph.buerger@rhino.com. AL JARREAU – THE VERY BEST OF: AN EXCELLENT ADVENTURE Track Listing “After All” “Moonlighting” (Theme) “Never Givin’ Up” “Roof Garden” “Spain (I Can Recall)” “Take Five” – Edit “We’re In This Love Together” “Rainbow In Your Eyes” “Just To Be Loved” “Cold Duck” “We Got By” “Boogie Down” “(Round, Round, Round) Blue Rondo A La Turk” “Mornin’” “So Good” “Excellent Adventure” newsShare : Tweet
