Al Jarreau |
Al Jarreau's career mirrors George Benson's -- both are complex jazz artists who draw from a plethora of influences and both have found so much success in the R&B field that it has taken them away from the jazz idioms they have mastered. If Jarreau had started his career earlier he would probably be a respected -- and broke -- jazz singer. But he has learned to slip in a few masterful improvisatory pieces in with his Adult Contemporary and R&B bread and butter. Thankfully, his commercial material is very good, but hip-hop has somewhat impacted the popularity of many solid Soul singers and Jarreau has concentrated on doing more jazz material during the last few years. 1994's Tenderness is a breathtaking mainstream document of an artist at the top of his game. Jarreau continues to spellbind audiences at jazz festivals around the world.Find Al Jarreau cds and Al Jarreau records on WEA Records. |
