I’m touched by the Beatles. I want some of the music I do to reflect that. Here I am. I love Sly Stone and James Brown and Stevie Wonder, and I want my music to reflect some of that. Here I am. I’m touched by Jon Hendricks. I want some of my music to reflect that. And when I write, you’re going to hear it. Al Jarreau Read Quote
When you do a lyric for ‘April in Paris,’ those who have heard it before can hear it in a different way now. It can add perspective to a great piece of music that does not have a lyric and may be inaccessible to lot of ears because people don’t deal with complex music very well. Al Jarreau Read Quote
Jazz should be recognized as music of the people, based in a lot of accents and melodies. What is jazz but music that people danced to? Jazz has the dynamic thing. I don’t think you have to be playing only Charlie Parker licks on your horn or whatever the new version of that is. Al Jarreau Read Quote
Since the beginning of my recording career in 1975, I have had a little difficulty because the pop stations think I’m a jazzer who doesn’t have a feeling for pop, so it’s hard to get my records played. Similarly, black urban radio doesn’t understand that with my R&B roots, I am more than a jazz singer. So I get pigeonholed. Al Jarreau Read Quote
I’m saved every day by the intrinsic value of the work I do, which I truly enjoy. Al Jarreau Read Quote
I was really learning my craft as a jazz singer and working with some great players and all, really growing and feeling my wings. Al Jarreau Read Quote
There’s a wonderful tradition of jazz people getting on stage and jamming and finding some feeling for music with audiences who may be fresh. For others, it might be just like a comfortable shirt they’ve been wearing. Al Jarreau Read Quote
