Pioneer. Trendsetter. World-renowned. Legend. Choose any list of adjectives you can conceive, and none of them can accurately describe what Al Jarreau has accomplished in almost 40 years in the music business. He is the only vocalist, male or female, in history to win Grammy awards in three different categories (jazz, pop, and R&B, respectively). Originally groomed to become a social worker after receiving a masters degree in psychology, Jarreau first hit the music scene in the mid 1960s, but was largely unnoticed until 1975, upon releasing his widely appreciated We Got By. Subsequently, he would proceed to take the entire world by storm, releasing 15 full-length albums from 1976-2002, becoming a world-class figure, and receiving scores of accolades and critical acclaim. To see the 63-year old Jarreau perform today is a constant reminder of his greatness. He continues performing for millions of fans across the globe, with no signs of slowing down in sight. In the midst of a frantically busy schedule, the living legend sat with Allhiphop.com to discuss his opinions of the Hip-Hop culture and the influences that jazz has on all music. AllHipHop Alternatives: As you could probably imagine, our publication covers Hip-Hop acts, as well as R&B artists from time to time. My goal is to get more people to recognize artists such as yourself because, in my opinion, all forms of music are birthed from your particular style of music. Al Jarreau: Well, I think any new music does not happen in a vacuum, and so it does have influences. Im not so sure about the responsibility of new artists to recognize that in any other way than doing what they ought to do musically. Maybe its the responsibility of other people to interview them and talk with them and ask them about those influences. It does take people with an historical perspective to point out the fact that no music is born a baby that doesnt come from some traditional forms of making babies. AHHA: From your own perspective, what kinds of Jazz influences do you hear in the Hip-Hop genre? More and more Hip-Hop groups are becoming bands, taking live bands on the road with them and implementing live instrumentation into their shows. That was taboo for many years. Al Jarreau: Whenever they do that, it points at roots that, if no other reason than the fact that theyll use a combination of tracks and drums, but to the extent that they are using a drum or even a bass. They will borrow some things from music that has it roots in the traditional R&B or jazzy kind of music. They will pick-up and relearn and give a new accent to feels that was born earlier. If you look at some of the things that are sampled, you have to understand that there are previous kinds of music that are a big part of the Hip-Hop culture. Do you agree? AHHA: I absolutely agree. I want to piggyback off of that sampling comment you made, if I may. Do you feel that it takes away from the creative aspect that music was originally birthed from, or does it pay homage to the person who originally created it? Al Jarreau: It certainly pays homage to the artist who created the particular loop that they are taking. There is something real positive to be admired in finding that and recognizing it as a great feel for what they want. On the other hand, I am enjoying that there is more real singing in Hip-Hop these days, and as you described a moment ago, are bringing more bands on the road with them. I want that 6-year old and 10-year old to have some heroes who played some bass, drums, and guitar. For a few years now, our heroes have not been real musicians. Theyve been strictly rap artists, doing their thing with poetry and all. Sure enough, there are going to be some Maya Angelous who comes out of Hip-Hop, with the messages and poetry of Hip-Hop. And I would dare to say that there are going to be some Spike Lees who come out of that as well. AHHA: What is your opinion on the messages and the images that have been portrayed in Hip-Hop, as opposed to the messages and connotations of love that you have perpetuated over the course of your career? Al Jarreau: Just in your question is implied my point of view. I dont think theres been a lot of balance on broadcast radio or MTV of the other part of the Black community, which is more than t### and ass. There hasnt been a lot of balance. A teenager in Rome, Hamburg, Germany, or Stockholm, Sweden, for example, sees a kind of African-American that is not of a very balanced point of view. Certainly, for me, its not the healthiest image to be portraying our African-American culture in. Were more than that. Everything doesnt have to be the Huxtables. AHHA: They are only seeing one side of the story at this point. Al Jarreau: Right, and I think there is some cause for concern. But, its typical of how any pop direction tends to take over and everybody goes there, radio programmers and artists, in order to sell space. Its very commercial. AHHA: What are your thoughts on the current talent pool in this industry today? In your time, people actually jammed! The technology that is available to us nowadays did not exist then, so if you had no talent, you were not given any visibility. Al Jarreau: Well, again you are implying something I totally agree with. There is something about that creative process that involves playing instruments. It involves knowing your instrument well enough to improvise and jam, which is missing if there are no instruments or no one learning those instruments. Creatively, its a very limited crop of new artists who are emulating and imitating what is immediately around them. It falls short of a […]
