Grammy winner Al Jarreau dies

Vocalist who spanned jazz, pop and R& B had been hospitalized

Seven- time Grammy winner Al Jarreau has died. His death comes two days after an announcement was made on his website that he was retiring from touring because of exhaustion.

Jarreau had been in a hospital in Los Angeles and was “slowly recovering,” according to a statement posted Thursday. He was 76.

Jarreau died at 6 a. m. PT Sunday, according to a statement from his booking agent Bob Zievers. He was surrounded family members and friends, his manager Joe Gordon said in a statement. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Jarreau’s family requested contributions be made to the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music.

Jarreau received a lifetime achievement award from the foundation last fall, and an endowment to benefit Milwauke Public School children needing financial assistance for music programs was established in his name.

While he started singing at church and PTA meetings when he was four or five, Jarreau told the Journal Sentinel it was at Lincoln High School where “My love of music and singing really deepened.

“I began to have ideas of taking this as far as it could go. And I kept dreaming that dream and nourishing that dream.”

He took that dream exceptionally far. Jarreau has 20 albums, and is the only Grammy vocalist to win in the jazz, pop and R& B categories. He performed 50 concerts last year, including at the White House.

Jarreau is survived by his wife, Susan, and son, Ryan. A small private service is planned for immediate family; no public service is planned yet.

2015 PHOTO BY FELIPE DANA, AP Seven- time Grammy winner Al Jarreau is the only vocalist to win in the jazz, pop and R& B categories. He died Sunday.