I can’t believe my good friend Al Jarreau passed away in February 2017. That’s almost 9 years ago.

My daughters always laughed at me for calling him my friend. I do call a lot of people my buddy or friend, I admit. But Al and I knew each other back in L.A. where I started my photography career and he started his music career. 

Just as we were both kinda getting into it, we saw each other a lot at the Bla Bla Café, where he first performed. We talked a lot, laughed a lot, and all through the years we kept in touch. 

When I went to his show in Amsterdam with my daughters, I snuck up to the stage with my camera. In the middle of a song, I kid you not, Al goes, “Hey! It’s my good friend Barry Schultz!” My girls never looked so surprised, hahaha. We went to see him backstage, and they could see I had not been exaggerating. 

That was the last time I saw him in real life. But he remains forever in my heart.
Have you listened to his music? If not, go to your local record store, or check the thrift store. Okay, use Spotify or Apple if you need to. But listen to his amazing man. He will change your life. My buddy.