The inspiring story of an iconic singer from Milwaukee
This is the first biography to chronicle the life and career of one of the most distinguished and beloved musical artists to come out of Wisconsin: Al Jarreau. From his earliest days singing in the 1940s until his death in 2017, Jarreau defied categorization. While his biggest hit, “We’re In This Love Together,” is pure pop, he smashed music industry stereotypes as the first artist to win Grammy Awards in three genres: jazz, pop, and R&B.
Never Givin’ Up
traces Jarreau’s singing career from humble beginnings in his hometown of Milwaukee to international fame. The narrative includes his formative student days at Ripon College and the University of Iowa, as well as the years spent honing his craft at nightspots in Milwaukee, San Francisco, and the Twin Cities. After he was signed by Warner Bros. Records in 1975 at the age of 35, Jarreau achieved stardom with his innovative vocal stylings and electric live performances. This book includes more than 20 sidebars with bonus information about every Jarreau album and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the records. Author Kurt Dietrich conducted interviews with dozens of Al's friends, fellow musicians, professional associates, and family members—most notably Al’s sister, Rose Marie Freeman, who was a major contributor to the project. Featuring 54 images spanning Jarreau’s life, from never-before-seen family snapshots to stills from his legendary stage performances,
celebrates a Milwaukee hometown hero and global sensation.
Silver Medal Winner for the 2023 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award for Performing Arts and Music  Finalist for the Association for Recorded Sound Collections’ Award for Best Historical Research in Recorded Jazz
“Kurt Dietrich has created a masterful book, revealing and depicting a detailed version of my brother, Al Jarreau, through his music and career. In these pages, I see Al’s determination and his admirable goal of ‘Never Givin’ Up’ on his joy of singing. It was my distinct pleasure to work with Kurt Dietrich in the process, establishing what has become a bond of family-like friendship that will endure for a lifetime and beyond.” —Rose Marie (Jarreau) Freeman “Dietrich captures Jarreau’s simultaneously gregarious and shy charm while revealing his own affection for this gifted and gracious performer. It’s his love letter to a Milwaukee legend.” —Bill Milkowski, author of
Jaco: The Extraordinary
and
Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius
Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times and Music of Michael Brecker
"Written in an approachable style and carefully documented, this book will be valuable for fans and researchers of Jarreau’s music. Summing Up: Highly recommended." —
Choice
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