What I was really struck by with this recording—particularly because it was from early in his career—was how much scatting Al did—how he would take the melodies of songs, and the lyrics then turn them ...

Musically speaking, Al Jarreau's spectacular genre-crossing voice was also his great career challenge. Kurt Dietrich develops that theme throughout his new biography of the Milwaukee native, "Never ...

Many purists believe that the only true Yacht Rock contains elements of jazz music. While we tend to take more of a big-tent approach to the genre, it’s clear that many of the most beloved songs of ...

*In the biography “Never Givin’ Up: The Life and Music of Al Jarreau” (Wisconsin Historical Society Press), Kurt Dietrich, a three-time author and Professor Emeritus of Music at Ripon College in ...

In 2024, I recommended 141 local albums, EPs and songs in my monthly "Must-Hear Milwaukee Music" column. It still wasn't enough. We're kicking off 2025 with 14 great releases that came in toward the ...

The Milwaukee Common Council has unanimously approved renaming a north-side park in honor of singer Al Jarreau. On Monday the council formally approved renaming the 30th and Cawker Park Area at 2929 N ...