Died On This Date (February 12, 2017) Al Jarreau / American Jazz Singer

Al Jarreau
March 12, 1940 – February 12, 2017

Al Jarreau was an internationally renowned jazz vocalist who, over the course of his career, earned seven Grammy’s while garnering over a dozen more nominations.  To this day, he’s the only vocalist to win a Grammy in three different categories – in his case, jazz, pop and R&B.  Born in Milwaukee, Jarreau spent much of youth singing at local church and school events.  He continued singing through high school and college where he performed with jazz trio which included George Duke.  By  the early ’70s, Jarreau was performing at top clubs in Los Angeles as well as  on TV shows like The Dinah Shore Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Merv Griffin Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.  He signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1975 and went on to release 16 studio albums and several more live and compilation albums.  His debut, 1975’s We Got By was released to critical acclaim, and introduced him to new fans the world over.  1981 found Jarreau releasing what would become his best-selling album, Breakin’ Away.  Jarreau continued to record and tour through much of the rest of his life.  On February 8th, 2017, he cancelled his current tour and was hospitalized for exhaustion.  Four days later, February 12th, Al Jarreau, passed away at the hospital surrounded by this family and friends. He was 76. Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (August 5, 2013) George Duke / Highly Regarded Jazz & Pop Musician

George Duke
January 12, 1946 – August 5. 2013

george-dukeGeorge Duke was a highly regarded jazz musician, singer, composer and producer who successful crossed over to R&B and pop throughout the years.  Born and raised in the San Francisco area, Duke began picking up various instruments at an early age.  He received a Bachelor’s Degree in trombone and composition while Minoring in the contrabass.  He later went on the earn a Master’s in composition.  Armed with these credentials, Duke kicked his music career into high gear upon graduating from college.  It was during the mid ’60s that he started dabbling in what would become known as jazz fusion and more avant-garde styles.  Over the course of his career, he released nearly 50 albums which oftentimes touched on funk, R&B, Latin jazz, and most notably, jazz fusion, the style he helped create the blueprint for.  As a collaborator, the list of artists he worked with reads like a pop music encyclopedia. It includes Jean-Luc Ponty, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, his cousin Dianne Reeves, George Clinton, Cannonball Adderley, Anita Baker, and most consistently, Frank Zappa for whom he played on over a dozen albums.  In 1988, Duke served as the musical director at the Nelson Mandela tribute concert at Wembley Stadium in London.  In recent years, his music was sampled by Daft Punk, Common, Mylo, and many more.  In July of 2013, he released DreamWeaver as a tribute to his wife who passed away in 2012.  George Duke was 67 when he passed away on August 5, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (May 15, 2009) Wayman Tisdale / NBA Star & Jazz Musician

Wayman Tisdale
June 9, 1964 – May 15, 2009

wayman-tisdaleWayman Tisdale first came to the world’s attention as an NBA basketball player for the Indiana Pacers and later the gold medal winning US Olympic basketball team of 1984.  Tisdale averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game over his twelve-season career, playing with the Pacers, Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns.  After retiring from basketball, Tisdale pursued his other dream, music.  But unlike most other professional athletes who dabbled in music, Tisdale avoided rap and focused on smooth jazz.  In the early ’90s, Tisdale started the Fifth Quarter Band, for which he played bass.  The band was signed to MoJazz Records and released their debut in 1995.   He went on to release seven more albums that included such guests as George Duke, Bob James, Dave Koz and country star, Toby Keith.  Tisdale was diagnosed with cancer in his knee in early 2008, he had broken the knee falling down a flight of stairs.  His leg was partially amputated in May of 2008.   Plans for a 21-date concert tour were cut short when Wayman Tisdale died of cancer in a Tulsa hospital.  He was just 44.

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Died On This Date (April 15, 2009) Robert Brookins / R&B Singer, Songwriter & Producer

Robert Brookins
October 7, 1962 – April 15, 2009

robert-brookinsRobert Brookins began singing at the tender age of four, and never looked back.  After winning a Motown talent search in 1974, he joined a group called Afterbach whose debut was produced by Earth Wind & Fire’s Maurice and Verdine White.  Brookin’s vocals were featured on George Duke’s self titled release of 1986.   He soon signed to MCA Records for whom he recorded a handful of acclaimed R&B albums.  Over his career he worked with the likes of Stephanie Mills, Deniece Williams, the Whispers, Jeffrey Osbourne, and Bobby Brown. Robert Brookins died of a heart attack at the age of 46.