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Vol. 36 • No. 07 • Thurs., Feb. 16, 2017 - Wed., Feb.22, 2017 • An NCON Publication Serving The Milwaukee Area • 65¢
Al Jarreau, singer who spanned jazz, pop and R&B worlds, dies at 76 Al Jarreau, a versatile vocalist who sold millions of records and won a string of Grammys for his work in pop and R&B as well as his first love, jazz, died on Sunday, February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles. He was 76. His death was announced by his manager, Joe Gordon, who said that Mr. Jarreau had been hospitalized for exhaustion two weeks ago. On the advice of his doctors, he had canceled his tour dates and retired from touring. Mr. Jarreau did not begin a full-time musical career until he was nearly 30, but within a few years he had begun attracting notice for a vocal style that was both instantly appealing and highly unusual. Critics were particularly taken by his improvisational
dexterity, in particular his virtuosic ability to produce an array of vocalizations ranging from delicious nonsense to clicks and growls to quasi-instrumental sounds. Although he made his initial mark in the jazz world, Mr. Jarreau’s style, and his audience, crossed stylistic barriers. His music incorporated elements of pop, soul, gospel, Latin and other genres. It was a mark of his eclecticism that he won six Grammys across three different categories: jazz, pop and R&B. He was also among the performers on a Grammy-winning children’s album, “In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record.” If Mr. Jarreau’s highly ac-
Al Jarreau
cessible, intensely personal style defied easy classification, that very accessibility — and, perhaps, the mere fact of his considerable commercial success — left some jazz purists skeptical. Reviewing a concert by Mr. Jarreau at the Savoy in New
York in 1981, Stephen Holden of The New York Times encapsulated what many saw as both the pros and the cons of Mr. Jarreau’s singular style: “Al Jarreau may be the most technically gifted singer working in jazz-fusion today,” Mr. Holden wrote. Of the evening’s performance, however, he continued: “Mr. Jarreau’s concert lacked the emotional range of great jazz. He is such a prodigious talent that the absence of even the slightest blues inflections kept his music from cutting deeply.” But critics’ reservations never deterred Mr. Jarreau, who prided himself, as he
told The Los Angeles Times in 1986, on his “jazz attitude,” which he defined as “the idea of being open to each and every moment as a chance to create something different.” “I try to be receptive,” he added, “and to be listening, and to not be afraid to try something new.” Alwin Lopez Jarreau was born in Milwaukee on March 12, 1940, into a musical family. His father, a minister, was a fine singer; his mother played the piano in church. Young Al began singing at 4, harmonizing with his siblings. As a youth he sang in church, as well as with street-corner harmony groups and local jazz bands. (Continued on pg. 2)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter hosts 2017 Founders Day Celebration
Photos by Yvonne Kemp
On Saturday, February 11, 2017 the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter hosted their 2017 Founders Day Celebration at the Italian Conference Center, 631 E. Chicago Street. This year's theme "Milwaukee Matters: Partnering with Our Community Through Education, Engagement and Empowerment," and focused on the importance of educating Milwaukee's youth. The event featured reading and workshops with Milwaukee students, free public screening and discussion of the documentary, "Milwaukee:53206," and an empowering message from the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Executive Director Dorcas Washington, a former member of the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter. As part of their founders weekend the Deltas honor one of their own as the "Delta Dear of the Year" for her community service work. This year's honoree was former Milwaukee Public School principal Phyllis Spence (center). She is pictured with Delta of the Year co-chair Loraye Williams (left) and Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter president Kimberly Eubanks (right).
Pete's Fruit Market - Bronzeville hosts job info event for new store Pete’s Fruit Market, a family-owned store that will soon open a new location at Bronzeville’s busy “front door” at N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive and W. North Ave., hosted a job informational session on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the YWCA, 1915 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. “The informational session was for anyone interested in possibly working at the new Pete’s grocery store,” Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs said. Not only was the event an information session but it was a prime opportunity to meet with store managers, so attendees were encouraged to bring their resumes and to be prepared for a brief interview. Pete’s Fruit Market is a full-service grocery store known for many years by customers on the near south side. The job event is listing possible positions that will be open at the new store, including cashiers, stockers, maintenance, meat clerks, and customer service. Pictured at the event are (from left) Milwaukee Urban League Royce Nash; Pete's Fruit Market owner Teddy Tsitiridis; Pete's Fruit Market manager Vidal Colon; and WestCare Wisconsin Community Organizer Kenneth Brown, II. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
Photo by Yvonne Kemp An NCON Communications Publication