*
- The following program
is a PBS Wisconsin original production.
*
- He's an international star.
A seven-time Grammy Award-winning artist.
[singing]
* Won't you take a little time girl? Won't you take time?
Al Jarreau entertained audiences for more than 50 years,
a spectacular career that almost took a different turn.
- I thought I'd like to become a rehabilitation counselor.
- But his passion for music prevailed.
- The music was in my heart and my soul,
and to do that as a career
I owe it to me.
- Now Al Jarreau returns
to where it all began:
the city where he was born and raised...
- I won't let anybody forget that I am from Milwaukee .
- ...to receive a lifetime achievement award,
presented by the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music... [applause]
...recognizing not only his music success,
but also his commitment
to working with a new generation of young artists.
- That's such a wonderful way to do music.
- I just had an "Al Jarreau experience."
[Al Jarreau laughing]
-Celebrating their achievements. [applause]
- That's the spirit!
- Sharing his experience
and encouraging them to find their own inspiration.
- Dream! Dream! Dream big!
- Honored for his work in music and education:
Milwaukee native, Al Jarreau: Coming Home .
- Funding for this program
is provided in part
by John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation
and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.
*
- Alwyn Jarreau was born in Milwaukee on March 12, 1940.
His father, Emile, was a minister.
His mother, Pearl, played piano.
-When she played for the church, I was there
'cause we were a church-going family.
- Al was the fifth of six children.
Music was part of family life.
- Older brothers singing.
[scatting]
And I'm like this, looking at them,
and they're singing little jazz lines and bebop lines.
I wanted to do that.
I wanted to be like that.
- He had a good ear, a good ear for that,
and he's soaking it up like a sponge.
- Al attended Lincoln High School,
not far from his home.
- It was an amazing thing that happened there for me.
There was a sense of community,
where we saw multiculturalism and interracial kind--
We were a melting pot.
- His musical interests grew.
- He experimented with things.
He was curious.
He wanted to find new ways of doing things.
- Ron DeVillers was one of many teachers
who encouraged and inspired Al.
- There were a bunch of us
from the other side of the tracks
who weren't expected to do anything.
And amongst us are a bunch of accomplished people
because Tom Cheeks and Sara Scott
and Bob Beduhn and Ron DeVillers,
said "Oh, yes, you can.
Oh-- yes --you--can."
- He just had the confidence.
Good looking guy.
Talent.
Wanted to do things his way,
and he did!
- Al was also a versatile athlete
and especially loved baseball.
- I was serious about baseball.
I was more serious about it than they were serious about me.
[laughing]
- Above all, his parents wanted Al and his siblings
to have an education.
- During a time when
there weren't a lot of black people who graduated college,
my mother and dad were college graduates.
They felt strongly about going to school.
- Al was also student council president.
He was chosen to attend Badger Boys State,
where he was elected governor.
- What a statement
about who we were then.
That this little black kid from Milwaukee
was chosen to be governor at Badger Boys State.
- After high school, Al moved on to Ripon College,
but adjusting to college was a challenge.
- I wasn't ready for
a high-powered little liberal arts school.
I mean, the curve was kicking my butt.
- Al considered dropping out,
but his instructors and friends stood by him.
- Encouragement from them really meant something.
It was the beginning and the foundation and the catapult.
- That challenge taught Al an important lesson.
- I think there's something good about struggle.
Tenacity.
That's the way you accomplish anything in your life
is you keep going.
- Music also kept him going.
At Ripon, he and his friends formed a quartet:
the Indigos.
- We would go to the student lounge,
and there was a piano in there.
All of those people loved that music,
and we put this little group together.
And the first song that we sang was "Mood Indigo."
* You ain't been blue no no no
Ah, what a time, man! [chuckling]
What a time!
I wish, I wish I could give that to everybody.
- Al's wish to share
the joys of music and the value of education came true.
- Thank you for inviting me.
You're helping me in my dream again.
I'm dreaming.
- He's worked with students all over the country, including
this visit to the Milwaukee High School of the Arts
in October of 2016.
- Okay, choir sing "La-dee-dah."
[choir repeats]
"Sko-po-jee-bee-ah."
[choir repeats]
- What I knew about Al is that he was a famous jazz singer
and he was from here.
- And then to actually have him come into the classroom
is just amazing.
- It was overwhelming.
- Let's do whatever you want to do.
We can sing and play and stay all day.
[laughter]
I love talking to young kids about music and the arts.
That's one of the great beauties
in this thing that we call
"jazz."
You go to music school and you learn this inversion
and that kind of inversion.
And then jazz says, "Cool.
Now let's go and be free."
- We talked about singing for a little bit
and then beyond that, it was how you feel.
And that takes somebody with experience and wisdom
to figure that out.
- That's one of the brilliant, wonderful things
that jazz gives us and teaches us:
freedom and self-expression.
You're already there, you know the great benefits of music.
You're doing it.
- It was such an outstanding opportunity
to have a legend, a world-wide legend,
who grew up in our town
sharing his ideas
about art and beauty
and how it shapes our world.
- Your life is made so sweet
and much more beautiful
because you have this thing that you're passionate about.
- Raymond Roberts: And to hear it put so eloquently
and so authentically from his heart
was just captivating for my students and for me.
- It was amazing for us to see
a product of what we long to be.
And we were able to connect on that level.
I think that's where the real artistry comes into play.
[applause]
- This is really an incredible experience.
- Later that week, these Milwaukee students
shared their artistry at the award ceremony,
recognizing Al's work in music and education.
- Mr. Jarreau really captures
the marriage of mind, body, and soul,
and it manifests itself through the love of music.
And to be able share that with our children,
to have it really become a part of your life
is really what this is all about.
So a very special thank you to Mr. Jarreau for spending
so much time with our children this week.
They're still talking about it.
[applause]
[snapping fingers]
[energetic music]
[performing "Jeannine" by Manhattan Transfer]
* Last time
* Last time I saw Jeannine
* She looked just like a royal queen
* And she cruised by
* With some wealthy guy
* In a Cadillac limousine
* Last time
* Last time I saw Jeannine
* Last time
* Last time I saw Jeannine
* The dollar signs stood in between
* It was a love lost to the rising cost
* But since then I have never seen
* I haven't seen Jeannine
* Short of green
* Bye bye Jeannine
* She was so mean mean mean
* I mean Jeannine
* She split the scene
* So long goodbye
* Jeannine
[applause, whistles, shouts]
- Al Jarreau finished his formal education
in 1962
with a degree in psychology from Ripon College.
He moved on to the University of Iowa,
where he earned his Master's in Vocational Rehabilitation.
*
From there, he moved to California
and began working as a rehabilitation counselor by day
and singing at night.
- Getting an opportunity to sing music in San Francisco,
which was one of the great settings for music,
'65, you know?
Haight-Ashbury was...
[speaking in deep, groovy voice] in swing, baby.
The revolution was happening,
the Cultural Revolution,
and all of the music that changed our lives.
*
- Al Jarreau's life was changing too.
He was quickly making a musical name for himself.
By 1968,
he quit his job as a counselor
and made music the focus of his professional life.
- I wasn't ready.
I was not ready.
But I got ready.
- His big recording break came in 1975.
Record executives saw him perform.
Two weeks later he recorded his first studio album, "We Got By."
* We Got By
- The records continued to come,
and so did the recognition.
Al was honing his art of improvisation,
developing the unique vocal style
that would define him as a musician.
A soothing baritone voice
with staccato delivery,
earned him the nickname "Acrobat of Scat."
- All of that stuff, which became my signature,
my thumbprint.
[scatting]
[laughing heartily, slapping palms together]
- In 1981, he released "Breakin' Away"
his all-time most popular album.
It was #1 on both the jazz and rhythm and blues charts,
and included the hit song, "We're In This Love Together."
- * We're In This Love Together
* We got the kind that lasts forever
- Harkening back to his day-time job
and his night-time singing,
Al wrote the lyrics for the theme song of a hit TV show,
Moonlighting.
The song made Al a regular guest in millions of living rooms.
- * Some walk by night
* Some fly by day
- Accolades and awards kept coming.
A total of seven Grammys in three different genres:
jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues.
Unprecedented in the world of music.
He continued performing on bigger stages,
appearing on television,
including a performance
during the very first season of Saturday Night Live.
* I can remember the rain Aah!
* The leaves of brown on the ground
* In Spain I did love and adore you
* The nights filled with joy were our yesterdays
* And tomorrow will bring you near me
* Ole!
* I can recall my desire
* Every reverie is on fire
* And I get a picture of all our yesterdays
* Yes today I can say
* I get a kick every time
* They play that Spain again
So, as you write and compose,
remember that you can put it in words.
[Al Jarreau singing] * I can recall my desire
* Every reverie is on fire
* Now I get a picture of all our yesterdays
* Yes today I can say
* I get a kick every time I see you gaze at me
New meaning, new meaning
- Back in the classroom,
Al's message resonates beyond the music.
- This stuff that increases your sensitivity
about something that's in the song,
in the play, in the dance
that talks of the emotions and feelings of the writer and all.
That, that makes you a person of the community.
That's a sensitive person
who understands what our real gig is.
What our job is.
This responsibility to each other.
- He's so much deeper than just singing,
and that's what we saw.
- How much love he has for it.
It makes me feel good because I have that sometimes,
and it just, I can see it can grow.
- That's something that we see in Al.
And we see that he actually feels good.
And that means everything.
- That's what's so important about it.
It can help them understand
their own potential for greatness.
- We had the nerve to sing a tune that Mr. Jarreau recorded.
And that's what I love about students.
They're like, "Okay, we're going to do it."
[laughter]
This is a tune by Chick Corea that Al recorded
entitled "Spain."
This is our tribute to you. Thank you so much.
Your master class was so inspiring.
It's the most inspiring thing I've ever experienced
in my 26 years teaching.
So, thank you so much.
[applause]
[band accompaniment]
- * Yesterday
* Just a photograph
* Of yesterday
* With all its edges folded
* And the corners faded sepia brown
* And yet it's all I have
* Of our past love
* A postscript to its ending
* Brighter days
* I can see such brighter days
* When every song we sang
* Is sung again
* And now we know
* It's for good
* And we're lovers once again
* And you're near me
- * I can remember the rain in December
* The leaves of brown
* On the ground
* In Spain I did love and adore you
* The nights filled with joy were our yesterdays
* And tomorrow will bring you near me
* I can recall my desire
* Every reverie is on fire
* And I get a picture of all my yesterdays
* Yes, today I can say I get a kick every time
* They play that Spain again
* I can remember the rain in December
* The leaves of brown
* On the ground
* Our love was a Spanish fiesta
* The bright lights and sound
* Were our joy each day
* And the nights were the heat of yearning
* I can recall my desire
* Every reverie is on fire
* And I try to get a picture of all my yesterdays
* Yes today I can say
* I get a kick every time I see you gaze at me
* I see moments of history
* Your eyes meet mine
* And they dance to the melody
* And we meet again
* As if dreaming
* Oooooooo
[scatting]
[applause]
[electric guitar solo]
[scatting]
[electric guitar solo]
* The sound of our hearts
* Beat like castanets
* And forever we'll know their meaning
* I can recall my desire
* Every reverie is on fire
* And I get a picture of all my yesterdays
* Yes today I can say
* I get a kick every time they play
* That Spain
* Again
[applause, shouts, whistles]
- At this time, Al,
it is with a great honor that we present you
with the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music
Lifetime Achievement Award.
[applause, shouts, whistles]
- Alright.
My, my, my.
What a lovely day!
Those children who sang
(imitating students scatting "Jeannine")
* Last time I saw Jeannine
I wouldn't dare tackle that song.
[laughter, applause]
Now.
Well, I was in Milwaukee
celebrating with my family,
my extended family, my friends,
and people who loved the arts,
and people who love music.
There's something special in that.
The arts represent
a crystallized form
of life and
all of the things of life that make us happy, make us sad,
and this, that, and the other.
And when we teach our kids about that,
we teach our kids that sensitivity training
our education system
is needing.
And so we have to provide those answers.
And so it's just so wonderful to be here with educators.
God, I love teachers!
My goodness, I love teachers!
[applause]
Committed to education.
That's who we need to be and to take care of each other.
Find something--
and let it change your life.
Let it make joy in your heart.
We in Wisconsin, you know,
we tend to shy away from all of those accolades and stuff.
We're more like, "Just get 'er done." You know?
And so, it's wonderful when we say,
"Good job!" to each other.
Good job!
And I just love that
about this occasion
and what it suggests for the future.
Just acknowledging each other for good work.
I really want to thank
Wisconsin School Music Educators
for this beautiful honor.
And so, I'm here, accepting this
and saying, "Thank you so very much."
God bless us all. Thank you.
[applause]
- After five decades of performing,
Al's words about the value of music and education
are still strong.
His message of hope and inspiration
continues to resonate.
- Al Jarreau: It begins with a dream,
making come to be
what you see in your head.
So, dream!
Dream, dream big!
Go for it!
- My dream is to
be able to express my love for music,
and be able to touch others and help them.
- I want to be a performer.
I feel like, you know, that's what I'm meant to do.
Seeing him and being able to talk to him
has really inspired me
to have the courage to continue.
- The ultimate dream is just to be playing music
and to have people respond.
That's the dream.
- He talked to us about believing in our dreams
and making them become beautiful pieces of art.
- It makes me feel like I have hope.
Like I can do it too.
- Don't give up. Keep going, keep pushing.
- One of many dreams Al had as a child
was realized
when he was invited to perform at the White House.
[Jarreau singing] * And the world
[scatting]
- Wonderful thing to be there at the White House
in the Rose Garden.
And there's the First Family
sitting there front row center.
Pretty amazing stuff
- For Al Jarreau,
success can be measured in many ways.
As a teacher and a performer.
A world-class musician.
An international star on an international stage.
Sharing the universal language of music.
With a career of unprecedented achievements,
Al's humility was his hallmark.
Tied to the values of the community where he grew up,
the people who meant so much to him,
and the city he always loved-- Milwaukee.
- This is home.
When people from home say,
[claps hands]
ain't nothing like that.
Nothing in the world like it.
I have some Grammys from,
from this country and that country,
and all kinds of awards.
But I'm from Milwaukee.
And when people from Milwaukee say,
"Thank you, Al, we're proud of you.
You did us proud."
That's the stuff.
[chuckles]
That's the stuff. Thank you.
[Jarreau singing "Milwaukee"] * See the moon
* Moving along the sky
* Yes
* Here's a car
* Moving along the highway
* Mm-hmm
* You
* Moving to California with me
* I'm almost two thousand miles from my home sweet home
* Two thousand miles from the arms that bore me
* Two thousand miles from my sweet home Milwaukee
* Yeah yeah
* Talking about Milwaukee
* Oooooo
- Al Jarreau: Coming Home
was funded in part
by John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation
and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.