Jazz legend Al Jarreau dies at 76

Al Jarreau, a Grammy-winning jazz singer, died Sunday just days after he retired from touring due to exhaustion. He was 76.

His official Twitter posted a statement Feb. 8 saying that Jarreau’s medical team “has instructed that he cannot perform any of his remaining 2017 concert tour dates.”

“Therefore, with complete sorrow, Al Jarreau must retire from touring,” the note continued. “He is thankful for his 50 years of traveling the world in ministry through music, and for everyone who shared this with him — his faithful audience, the dedicated musicians, and so many others who supported his effort.”

News of his death was also posted to his Twitter account. “#ALJarreau passed away this morning. He was in the hospital, [kept] comfortable by his wife, son, and a few of his family and friends,” one post read.

Jarreau released his first album, We Got By, in 1975. He went on to release 15 other albums, the most recent being 2014’s My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke, and nab seven Grammy Awards.

The vocalist was also known for performing the theme to Moonlighting, a show that ran on ABC from 1985 to 1989. The song earned Jarreau two Grammy nods: one for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Male and another for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television.

Also in the ’80s, Jarreau sang on “We Are the World,” a Quincy Jones-produced charity single written by and featuring Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. He performed on the 1985 track along with big names like Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, and Bruce Springsteen, among others.

Celebrities responded to news of Jarreau’s death by paying tribute to him on Twitter. “‘We’re in this love together.’ Bright words for dark days. Saluting Al Jarreau,” Ava DuVernay tweeted. “Mom played his vinyl. His voice made me happy. At rest now.”

“Al Jarreau… One of the best ever!” LeVar Burton said. “May flights of Angels guide thee to thy rest.”

See more posts honoring Jarreau below.