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.
Mas que nada
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oba oba oba
O aria raio
Oba oba oba
Mas que nada
Sai da minha frente que eu quero passar
Pois o samba está animado
Este samba que é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho
Samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Um samba como esse tão legal
Você não vai querer
Que eu chegue no final
O aria raio
Oba oba oba
O aria raio
Oba oba oba
Mas que nada
Sai da minha frente que eu quero passar
Pois o samba está animado
O que eu quero é sambar, sambar
Este samba que é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho
Samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Um samba como esse tão legal
Você não vai querer
Que eu chegue no final (sing it josy)
O aria raio
Oba oba oba
O aria raio
Oba oba oba
O aria raio
Oba oba oba
O aria raio
Oba oba oba
Mas que nada
Sai da minha frente que eu quero passar
Pois o samba está animado
O que eu quero é sambar
Este samba que é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho
Samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Um samba como esse tão legal
Você não vai querer
Que eu chegue no final
O aria raio
Oba oba oba
O aria raio
Oba oba oba (mas que nada)
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba (mas que nada)
Oba oba oba (mas que nada)
Oba oba oba (mas que nada)
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba
Oba oba oba (mas que, mas que)
Mas que nada, mas que
Mas que nada, mas que
Mas que nada, mas que
Mas que nada, mas que nada
The song "Mas que nada" by Al Jarreau celebrates the joy and energy of samba music. The lyrics open with the repeated phrase "O aria raio, oba oba oba," which doesn't have a direct translation but adds to the overall lively and upbeat feeling of the song. The chorus, "Mas que nada, sai da minha frente que eu quero passar" can be translated to "But of course, get out of my way, I want to pass because the samba is lively and what I want is to dance." The verses that follow reference the mix of maracatu rhythms and the influence of samba de preto velho (a type of samba that originated from slaves and Afro-Brazilian communities). The lyrics express the singer's desire to dance and enjoy the rhythm, and their confidence in their ability to do so.
Overall, "Mas que nada" is a celebration of Brazilian music and culture, and the joy that it brings to people. The lyrics are easy and fun to sing along with, adding to the festive feel of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
O aria raio
A playful phrase meaning nothing in particular
Oba oba oba
A celebratory phrase meaning something along the lines of 'hooray!' or 'let's go!'
Mas que nada
A declaration of confidence and superiority, meaning 'But of course!' or 'Nothin' but the best!'
Sai da minha frente que eu quero passar
Move out of my way, I want to dance, a call-to-action for others to make room and let the music take over
Pois o samba está animado
Because the samba is lively and energetic
O que eu quero é sambar
What I want to do is dance the samba, emphasizing the personal enjoyment and satisfaction of the activity
Este samba que é misto de maracatu
This particular samba incorporates elements of maracatu, a rhythm and dance style originating from northeastern Brazil
É samba de preto velho, samba de preto tu
This is the samba of the old black man, the samba of your black ancestors, a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that underpins the music
Um samba como esse tão legal
A samba as cool as this one
Você não vai querer que eu chegue no final
You wouldn't want me to stop dancing at the end, an indication of the intense pleasure and joy that the music brings and the desire to keep grooving
Sing it josy
An optional invitation for someone named Josy to join in singing, adding to the communal spirit and inclusive atmosphere of the song
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jorge Lima Menezes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ivanguatura1193
Al Jarreau – lead vocals
Joe Sample – acoustic piano
Philippe Saisse – synthesizers
Marcus Miller – bass guitar
Paulinho da Costa – percussion
Steve Gadd – drums
Michael "Patches" Stewart – trumpet
Jeffrey Ramsey – backing vocals
Sharon Young – backing vocals
@lindarowsalot
Steve Gadd on drums. Marcus Miller on bass. Joe Sample on the piano..... Al Jarreau scatting away in pseudo- Portuguese. Wonderful.
@dbrezzell
The vocal greatness of Al Jarreau and the piano mastery of Joe Sample. AWESOME
@patrickkelly5004
So right!
@dominadoramor7767
I could never properly describe the Al Jarreau’s style, but it is such a smooth blend of scat, soul, bossa nova, jazz, and Scotch (as in the drink, not “from Scotland”)… your music lives on, Mr. J
@juneniemann391
He was a one of a kind I loved his style.
@GeeBee909
This version is like a "Picasso painting" on a wall. It is so perfect, you don't dare touch it
@MrTruetwin
There is only one Al Jarreau wow
@vaxrys2830
❤️
@ezekielhenderson8305
Indeed. He just keeps pushing the ante on the scat; particularly in the third portion of the song. Sheer brilliance. I’m truly blessed to have heard this. RIP King.
@michaelcollins7358
@@vaxrys2830 111