Alwin Lopez Jarreau, known as Al Jarreau, was born on March 12, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and passed away on February 12, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. He was a renowned American singer and songwriter celebrated for his versatile vocal style that encompassed jazz, R&B, soul, pop, and gospel influences. Jarreau's career spanned from 1961 to 2017, during which he won seven Grammy Awards across three different musical categories and was nominated 19 times.

Jarreau grew up in a musical family, with his father being a minister and singer and his mother a church pianist. He began singing in church and at local events from a young age. He attended Ripon College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and sang with a group called the Indigos. He furthered his education with a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Iowa in 1964. While working as a rehabilitation counselor in San Francisco, Jarreau performed in local jazz clubs, which eventually led him to pursue a full-time music career.

In 1975, Jarreau released his debut album, "We Got By," which gained international acclaim and won an Echo Award in Germany. He continued to achieve success with albums such as "Glow" and "Look to the Rainbow," the latter earning him his first Grammy Award. His 1981 album "Breakin' Away" was a commercial triumph, featuring the hit single "We're in This Love Together" and earning him a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Jarreau also gained fame for singing the theme song for the 1980s television series "Moonlighting."

Throughout his career, Jarreau's innovative vocal techniques and genre-blending music made him a beloved figure in the music world. His notable works include albums like "L is for Lover," "Heaven and Earth," and "Accentuate the Positive." Jarreau's contributions to music were recognized with numerous awards and honors, solidifying his legacy as one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of his time.