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Al Jarreau Composes, Too

Vernon Gibbs, The Village Voice, 18 October 1976

THE LINES that stretched around the block welcoming Al Jarreau to his second New York appearance at the Bottom Line were evidence to his devotees that Jarreau's brief tenure as a cult favorite was almost over. It was as an opening act at the Bottom Line that Jarreau's new approach to jazz singing made him an instant phenomenon. Since then a tour of Europe has brought accolades from critics who hailed Jarreau's vocal capabilities, placing him in a continuum reserved for the absolute greats: Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, etc.

Total word count of piece: 603

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