As the son of a vicar, he had his first singing experiences in a church choir. He attended Ripon College, where he also sang non-professionally with a group called the Indigos, and graduated in 1962. He went on to earn a master's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Iowa, and worked as a rehabilitation counselor in San Francisco before joining a small jazz club trio headed by George Duke and deciding that he would make professional singing his life in 1968
He appeared in such Los Angeles hot spots as Dino's, the Troubador and Bitter End West. Television exposure came from Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin and David Frost, while he expanded his nightclub appearances to include performing at the Improv between the acts of such rising-star comics as Bette Midler, Jimmie Walker, and John Belushi, among others.
He was spotted by Warner Bros. in 1975 and soon thereafter released his critically acclaimed debut album, We Got By, which catapulted him into international fame and garnered him a German Grammy Award. A second German Grammy would follow with the release of his second album, Glow.
One of Jarreau's most commercially and artistically successful albums is Breakin' Away (1981), which includes the hit song "We're in This Love Together." He wrote and performed the Grammy-nominated theme to the 1980s American television show Moonlighting. Among other things, he is well-known for his scat singing and the ability to perfectly imitate conventional guitar, bass and percussive instrumentation. He was also a featured vocalist on USA for Africa's "We are the World" and sang the line, "...and so we all must lend a helping hand."
He has toured and performed with such greats as Joe Sample, Kathleen Battle, Miles Davis, David Sanborn and Rick Braun. He also performed the role of the Teen Angel in a 1996 Broadway production of Grease. On March 6, 2001 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is located at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue.
Jacaranda Bougainvillea
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't have to weep, Come and enjoy a smile.
Opening scene is just like a doorway.
Here's a story, in rhythm and rhyme.
There is a tree on the street and in the forest.
Lavender dream whispered a poet.
Bright potpourri. The envy of orchids,
Jacaranda tree and the Bougainvillea vine.
Oh Mandela, that garden that you made,
Is a vision of the prayer, you must've been prayin' everyday.
Sweet Azaleas, every color every kind.
And the first and the last are all divine.
There is a dream of the trees and of the flowers.
There is a season of peace at the borderline…
Where we're redeemed and history will crown us.
Jacaranda tree and Bougainvillea vine.
Oh Mandela, would you say that it's alright?
When the children play they always say, they say that we were like
Cinderella, in your garden there's a shrine,
To the first and the last they're all divine.
One and all, big and small, a common birth.
Each and every child for all his worth.
Take the one who's always last and make him first.
Take these seeds. Seed the earth.
OUTRO:
Comin' along,
Oh what a long way we have come.
Comin' along,
Makin' a home for everyone.
Comin' along, way down South in Africa
Look at (Study) the Jacaranda tree huggin' the Bougainvillea
REPEAT OUTRO X 4
The lyrics to Al Jarreau's song Jacaranda Bougainvillea are a celebration of the beauty of nature and the hope for peace and equality. The opening lines suggest that the story that is about to be told is a dream or a fantasy, a world where there is no need to weep and where joy and smiles are abundant. The scene is set with the image of a tree on the street and in the forest, a Jacaranda tree decorated with a Bougainvillea vine. The poet describes this tree as a Lavender dream which is the envy of other flowers. The image of the tree and the vine intertwined is used to symbolize the unity of different cultures and races coming together to form something beautiful.
The song's focus then shifts to the garden of Nelson Mandela, the former South African president and anti-apartheid revolutionary. The garden is described as a vision of the prayer that Mandela must have been saying every day. The Azaleas in the garden are said to be divine, representing the beauty and value of every human being, regardless of race or background. The lyrics then switch back to the image of the Jacaranda tree and the Bougainvillea vine, portraying them as symbols of hope and peace. The song ends with a message of unity and empowerment, urging people to take the seeds of hope and sow them throughout the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh what a dream, Oh what a story.
This is a fascinating and captivating tale full of wonder and excitement.
Don't have to weep, Come and enjoy a smile.
There's no need to cry, come and be happy with me.
Opening scene is just like a doorway.
The beginning of this tale is like an entrance to a grand adventure.
Here's a story, in rhythm and rhyme.
This is a story that's told with both style and beauty.
There is a tree on the street and in the forest.
There's a tree that can be found in both the city and the wilderness.
Lavender dream whispered a poet.
This tree is so beautiful and enchanting, it inspired a poet to write a dreamy piece about it.
Bright potpourri. The envy of orchids,
This tree's colorful flowers and fragrant scent make other plants jealous.
When it's dressed in a pink and fuchsia twine.
This tree looks especially stunning when adorned with shades of pink and fuchsia.
Jacaranda tree and the Bougainvillea vine.
These two plants, the Jacaranda tree and the Bougainvillea vine, make for a beautiful combination.
Oh Mandela, that garden that you made,
This refers to a garden that Nelson Mandela created.
Is a vision of the prayer, you must've been prayin' everyday.
This garden was likely Mandela's dream and vision, the result of a prayer that he repeated often.
Sweet Azaleas, every color every kind.
This garden is filled with various beautiful and sweet-smelling Azaleas of different colors and varieties.
And the first and the last are all divine.
Every plant in this garden is divine, from the very first one to the very last.
There is a dream of the trees and of the flowers.
There exists a vision of trees and flowers, a beautiful paradise perhaps.
There is a season of peace at the borderline…
There is a time and place of harmony and unity, perhaps where borders disappear.
Where we're redeemed and history will crown us.
Here, we find forgiveness and redemption, and history will mark and celebrate this moment.
Jacaranda tree and Bougainvillea vine.
The Jacaranda tree and Bougainvillea vine are again, a gorgeous pair of plants working in harmony in this season of peace.
Oh Mandela, would you say that it's alright?
The singer wonders if Mandela would approve of the current state of the garden he created.
When the children play they always say, they say that we were like
Children who play in this garden seem to equate themselves to fairy tale characters (Cinderella) in this magical place.
Cinderella, in your garden there's a shrine,
This garden is so special and magical, it's like a sacred place that's been set aside for Cinderella.
To the first and the last they're all divine.
Every single plant in this garden is equally special and divine, from the first to the last.
One and all, big and small, a common birth.
Every living being, regardless of their size, shape or color, has a common origin.
Each and every child for all his worth.
Every child is valuable and deserves love and respect.
Take the one who's always last and make him first.
We should recognize and uplift those who have been traditionally marginalized and overlooked, and give them a chance to shine.
Take these seeds. Seed the earth.
We should nurture and grow what we already have, and help others along the way.
Comin' along, Oh what a long way we have come.
We've come so far, and it's been a difficult journey.
Comin' along, Makin' a home for everyone.
We're finally building a place where everyone can have a home and feel safe and secure.
Comin' along, way down South in Africa
This is happening in South Africa.
Look at (Study) the Jacaranda tree huggin' the Bougainvillea
Take a closer look and appreciate the beauty of these two plants co-existing harmoniously.
Contributed by Jayce I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.