Transcript
Right now we’re in Beverly Hills, because the last time I saw Al Jarreau was at Cedars-Sinai Hospital here. I wanted to come by and reminisce while I was in Los Angeles.
Chris has a really special gift. To be able to sing like an angel—it’s a very special gift that’s come together in Chris Walker. So I called Chris and said, “Please come,” and we decided we would do this Al Jarreau tribute on the last night of the cruise. We had all the artists, but at the center, the core of it all, was Chris Walker. I can’t think of anybody more equipped emotionally, spiritually and musically to carry on the Al Jarreau legend.
I consider Al to be my closest musical partnership in my entire career. Quincy Jones was my mentor, but Al is the guy I spent the most time with on the road and in the studio. This project will keep not only his memory but his music alive, which is so vibrant in all of us. I know Al would be really proud of us for keeping it in front of people. There’s just nobody like Al. He’s one of a kind.
I’m really appreciative that Chris Walker and several other band members decided to do a tribute album for my father. It meant a lot. I got to experience a lot of great things with these guys, and they’re like family to me.
I feel that I was destined and chosen for this project, for a time such as this. I miss him dearly, but I think doing this project with Larry, Mark Simmons, John Calderon and Joe Turano is going to bring some healing for all of us. I hope you’ll support this project and come along on this journey with us, so we can spread Al’s music even more throughout the world and carry his legacy forward.
Lightly edited from the video’s captions.
