Al Jarreau & Friends, Ronnie Scott’s

Though it’s hard to imagine the history of modern jazz vocal without Jarreau, who has collected seven Grammys over the course of his 40-plus year career, had it not been for Duke , he may never have become the household name he is today. The Wisconsin-born singer initially viewed music as a sideline and moved to San Francisco in his late 20s to pursue a career in social work, moonlighting at jazz venues around the city. It wasn’t until 1965, when he shared the stage with Duke (then a rising star) at a late night jam at the city’s Half Note club, that things started to get serious. It led to a three year collaboration that kick-started the singer’s rise to fame. By 1975 he had been signed by Warner Bros. and the rest is history.

Over the years Jarreau has dabbled in disco and moved with the mainstream as often as he’s released out and out jazz records, and many of the tracks on this heartfelt Duke tribute have a syrupy, smooth jazz vibe. But they’re lifted by masterful phrasing, timely injections of Latin and funk and by sensational scat and instrumental contributions. Here’s hoping Jarreau and the band see these Ronnie Scott’s dates as an opportunity to flex their jazz muscles still further.