Crossover legend Al Jarreau makes jazz accessible

There’s something appealing about a jazz legend doing a spot-on North Dakota accent straight from the movie Fargo. Yah, sure, ya betcha.

But it’s not a stretch for Al Jarreau. I caught up with the six-time Grammy winner in a recent phone interview from his hometown of Milwaukee. Although his real accent is nearly gone, his Midwestern roots run deep, and he claims that returning to Wisconsin and touring America’s heartland refills his energy tank. Plus he gets a kick out of running into people from grade school.

“There’s something about people who grew up on the land,” said Jarreau, who closely connects with down-to-earth audiences across the nation. So it’s no wonder the crossover legend is looking forward to performing during A Fort Collins Jazz Experience on July 11 at the Lincoln Center, courtesy of Beet Street and Bohemian Foundation.

Music was Jarreau’s first love, but he was practical, earned his master’s degree and focused on a career in rehabilitation counseling. You have to admire that Midwestern work ethic.

But by the age of 28, Jarreau decided to sink or swim as a singer. He told himself, “I need to give this a shot.” Jarreau finally got a record deal when he was 35, and the rest – as they say – is history.

“The most important thing in life is to find something you love and go do it,” said Jarreau. “Find something that inspires you to jump out of bed each morning. It brings joy to the world, and it’s the fountain of youth,” he happily confided.

Jarreau will perform a cross-section of songs from his career. “I love audiences who may be hearing me for the first time,” he said. “There’s something special about adding to an audience’s notion of what jazz music is and can be.”

Jarreau’s positive energy is infectious, so I felt safe enough to admit that my introduction to his music was the catchy theme song to the 80s hit Television series Moonlighting, starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis. He replied with an enthusiastic, “Way cool!” He said people from Indonesia to Finland continue to find his music and discover jazz as a result of the show.

While in Fort Collins, Jarreau will perform a cross-section of songs from his career. “I love audiences who may be hearing me for the first time,” he said. “There’s something special about adding to an audience’s notion of what jazz music is and can be.” He feels he’s a crossover success because he interprets popular songs using his signature easy style, making jazz more accessible to the masses. One of his greatest joys is when people sing along.

With a 6-week European tour under his belt, and fresh from performing at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Jarreau continues to enjoy seeing fans react during live performances. “I hope to be doing this tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow! I want to just keep on reaching people through my music.” He’s releasing a “Best Of” album this fall, and is working on a new studio record in 2010.

And with his current schedule and level of enthusiasm, I’m convinced Al Jarreau may have found that fountain of youth after all. Yah, sure, ya betcha.

Saturday, July 11, 2009
8:00pm
Lincoln Center Performance Hall, 417 West Magnolia

Tickets

Tickets are available at the Lincoln Center Box Office:
$50 center/$38 sides
$40 student/senior (60+) center/$25 student/senior (60+) sides
$75 combo ticket*

*Combo Ticket: Get center seats for both Al Jarreau and Ramsey Lewis for a special price of $75, a savings of $15.

To purchase tickets for this event, please call 970.221.6730 or visit LCTIX.

Tickets are also available at the Lincoln Center Box Office at 417 West Magnolia Street in Fort Collins, Colorado.