[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN TRIBUTE TO AL JARREAU

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 2017

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alwin Lopez 
Jarreau, also known as Al Jarreau. He was a vocalist, musician, 
songwriter, and father. Al was born on March 12, 1940 in Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin and passed away at the age of 76, on February 12, 2017.
  He was born into a musical family; his father was a pastor with a 
fine voice and his mother, the church's pianist. Al began singing at 
the age of 4, harmonizing with his 5 siblings. He graduated from 
Lincoln High School in 1958 where his love of music and singing 
deepened. He earned a bachelor's degree from Ripon College in Wisconsin 
in 1962, and a master's degree from the University of Iowa. He worked 
as a rehabilitation counselor for people with disabilities. Al 
Jarreau's full-time musical career began when he was nearly 30 and he 
could no longer resist the pull of jazz.
  Al Jarreau was a versatile vocalist who recorded 21 albums, won seven 
Grammys and remains the only vocalist in Grammy history to win in the 
jazz, pop, and R&B categories. He was proud that his mix of styles 
prevented him from being easily categorized. Al Jarreau had a vocal 
style that was appealing and highly unusual. He could produce an array 
of vocalizations and was nicknamed the acrobat of scat because of this 
talent. Al reached a national audience with his second album We Got By, 
released in 1975. In 1965, he recorded his first album entitled 
``1965'' belatedly released in 1982 which is esteemed by jazz 
connoisseurs today. In 1981 he had his biggest hit with the song 
``We're in This Love Together.'' He won his first Grammy in 1978, for 
his album ``Look to the Rainbow'' and his last in 2007, for best 
traditional R&B vocal performance. He shared the award with George 
Benson and Jill Scott for their collaborative performance, ``God Bless 
the Child.'' Among Mr. Jarreau's best-known recordings was the theme 
song for the television series, ``Moonlighting.''
  Al Jarreau was proud of his hometown and at the beginning of most 
performances announced that he was from Milwaukee. The Wisconsin 
Foundation for School Music honored Jarreau with a Lifetime Achievement 
Award in October 2016, and established an endowment in his name for 
Milwaukee Public School music programs. He was concerned that children 
in Milwaukee and across the country would not have exposure to music 
and the arts. In fact, Al Jarreau's parting request to mourners was 
that contributions be made to children from his hometown in lieu of 
flowers and gifts.
  He leaves behind many friends, admirers and family members to mourn 
his passing including his wife, Susan, his son Ryan and two brothers, 
Marshall and Appie; and a sister, Rose Marie Freeman. Al Jarreau made a 
positive impact on Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the world and I am proud 
that he hails from Milwaukee. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I rise to 
pay tribute to a man whose legacy will continue to benefit the Fourth 
Congressional District.

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