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Al Jarreau Says He'll Deliver Two Albums In 2001
12/29/2000 12:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Soren Baker
(12/29/00, 12 p.m. ET) - Christmas 2000 has just passed, but singer Al Jarreau already has his eyes on Christmas 2001, among other things. With rave reviews still pouring in for his latest album, Tomorrow Today, and continued airplay for the track "Just To Be Loved," Jarreau nevertheless is looking ahead to recording an album of holiday tunes for release next year.
On his website, Jarreau writes at length about his adventures and experiences on tour in the U.S. and abroad. Among the highlights of his year: performing a date with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra in November, and touring as part of the Montreux Jazz tour with David Sanborn, Roberta Flack, George Duke, and Joe Sample in August. He also raves about his new band.
The busy composer-performer writes: "Wow, there's a lot going on and still the fact is that I'm gonna have to pick up the pace. No kiddin'!!! I need to finish both a Christmas album and the next 'regular' Al album for GRP within the next year. I do have some starts on songs and I'll do some writing with the band next month and start talking with them and others about a live project with this band. . .we should have been documenting this group since a long time ago. A really bubbling, boiling, brilliant band, making me sing better than ever, and we need to capture this live."
Jarreau reports that he will also be heard on a special NPR program, as narrator: "The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., headed by producer Jacqui Gayle Webb, has put together a truly wonderful 13-part series for National Public Radio called Jazz Singer. A history of jazz as told, sung, and lived by its artists...late greats and contemporary singers and musicians and jazz educators. And they asked little ol' me to be the host/narrator!!! Yahoo!! Thank you God!! And thank you Smithsonian!! What an honor!! Sorry I don't know the start of the broadcast dates yet. Stay tuned."
Calls to the Smithsonian Institute for details regarding the new series were not returned by press time.
-- Janine Coveney, Los Angeles
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