BIO:
Al Jarreau’s unique vocal style and innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time. With seven Grammy® Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide, Time Magazine called him ‘the greatest jazz singer alive’.
It's not surprising that he has perfected his technique to such an art. After all, he has been singing since the age of four, harmonizing with his brothers and performing solo at a variety of local events in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1975, following an extended stint at the Bla Bla Cafe in Los Angeles, he was spotted by Warner Bros. Records talent scouts and was signed to a recording contract. His debut album for the label, We Got By, was released to unanimous acclaim. Jarreau was awarded a German Grammy for Best New International Soloist that same year. A second German Grammy came his way with the release of his follow-up album, Glow.
Al’s career breakthrough came in 1977 when Warner Brothers Records released Look to the Rainbow , his live double album, which was culled from his first world tour from that same year, and earned the vocalist his first Grammy® for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. His fourth album, All Fly Home, was released in 1978 to further accolades and a second Grammy for Best Jazz Vocalist. It was followed by a string of innovative and original offerings, including 1980's This Time, and the million-selling Breakin' Away, which brought him a broader audience and two more Grammy's with awards for Best Male Pop Vocalist and Best Male Jazz Vocalist.
ALL ONE:
Robert always heard this song as “something that sounded like Larry Williams and Al Jarreau. So, he (Robert) asked LARRY WILLIAMS to arrange and produce the song, with AL JARREAU himself starting the duet. The idea is that it sounds like an Al Jarreau song ... until Alexandra joins.
Then, Robert had the idea to get Oscar’s vocal recording from the 2006 album, and to get Oscar’s vocal into the song.
This song will appear as Song #3 on the album ... and after the first two solo Alexandra performances on the album. AL JARREAU will be the first clear voice heard ... which, actually, will signal that the album is bigger than an Alexandra Jackson solo album.
In Robert’s view ... this song “All One” best embodies Alexandra’s “sound” .. which is deep and warm ... soulful (in a Pop way).
The song will be billed as “ALEXANDRA JACKSON featuring AL JARREAU and LARRY WILLIAMS, with a special appearance by OSCAR CASTO-NEVES”
The music is a classic Al Jarreau with Brazilian elements. Again, as with the whole album, we embrace Brazilian music, and adding definite American touches. The “LEGACY” is the song and Oscar, whose voice appears at the end of the track. The “ALCHEMY” is Alexandra, an American singer taking on these 3 great legacies (Al, Oscar and Larry). Our version was produced, arranged and conducted by LARRY WILLIAMS; and it features him on Flute. The musicians include: Larry Williams, Darryl Jones, Ricardo Silveira, Teo Lima, and Armando Marcal.
LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF AL JARREAU'S BEAUTIFUL VOICE ON THE TRACK "ALL ONE" AND PICK UP YOUR COPY OF OUR ALBUM, "LEGACY & ALCHEMY" WHEN IT GETS RELEASED ON APRIL, 27th!!