(Enlarge) Al Jarreau

It's afternoon in California's San Fernando Valley, but Al Jarreau isn't enjoying the lovely spring weather. Instead, the 69- year-old singer is inside, sipping tea and nursing a pesky bout of the flu.

"Such are the hazards of the profession," Jarreau sighs into the telephone. "You work hard, get exhausted, and that leaves the door open to getting sick."

All sniffles aside, Jarreau is in good spirits.

He has just returned from a successful European tour and is looking forward to his performance next weekend at the Capital Jazz Fest, returning from June 5 through 7 to Columbia's Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Celebrating its 17th year, the three-day marathon is well-known for highlighting the biggest names in contemporary jazz and R&B. This year's lineup includes such heavyweights as George Duke, Kirk Whalum and jazz "supergroup" SMV, featuring Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten. Singer Natalie Cole was also advertized, but at press time her participation seemed all but sure to be sidetracked by non-elective surgery.

Seven-time Grammy winner Jarreau is slated to close out the festivities in Sunday night's headlining spot.

"I'm going to have fun," he says.

The singer, world famous for his velvety voice, promises that his most-requested hits like "We're in This Love Together" and "Take Five" will not be ignored. But he also plans to include songs from a 2004 CD, "Accentuate the Positive," a mix of classic jazz standards that are among his own personal favorites.

"I have such a passion for jazz and its legacy," the musician declares. "I think it's important to give the audience a listen to things they may have not have heard yet. I owe that to them."

While Jarreau is the only singer in history to win Grammy Awards in three different categories -- jazz, pop and R&B -- jazz has always been his number one source of inspiration.

"There is an essential element that is the cornerstone of the music I do, and that is improvisation," he says. "It is part of the 10 commandments of jazz, that you be open to the moment."

The musician began his career in the fertile 1970s West Coast music scene. His years gigging in Los Angeles led to him becoming a singer with a jazz quartet led by George Duke. For four years they were the headliners at a celebrated San Francisco hotspot known as the Half Note.

Then Jarreau teamed up with guitarist Julio Martinez to explore a new found love for Brazilian rhythms. It freed Jarreau to experiment with various forms of percussion.

"I discovered that the base of the microphone stand was sensitive to the foot, so if you took your foot and tapped on the base, you got a rhythmic sound," he explains. Next, the musician began using his voice to imitate the sound of instruments, and incorporating body thumps and finger snaps into the mix.

Today's hip-hop culture owes a debt to Al Jarreau's inventive spirit. "I was doing it way back when. Only now they call it beat boxing."

Over 30 years later, the artist shows no signs of slowing down. Last year he released both a Christmas album and a love song compilation. This fall, a greatest hits collection is scheduled for release.

Just a year shy of his 70th birthday, Jarreau continues to remain passionate about his craft, and credits any success he has had to his "old school" work ethic.

"Suppose I'm scheduled to be on stage at eight o'clock at night," he says. "At 1:30, I'm doing my vocal stretches and warm-ups. Before I head to sound checks I'll have done about 180 pushups. While I'm doing them, I also do my 'creative visualization.' I see myself on stage with a wonderful voice and an audience that is happy. I'm creating my future."

With a jam-packed calendar of touring and recording ahead, the musician values his "down time" as something of a media fast. "I like being alone with my thoughts," he admits. "Sometimes I feel myself in the middle of saturation and just need a break from all that stimulation.

"Yesterday I went shopping for a new tea kettle, and as I was walking the aisle, the music was blaring at me. I don't want to get desensitized by mindless music being forced into my sensory experience," he says with mock outrage and a laugh. "I'm just trying to buy a tea kettle!"

Al Jarreau will perform at the 17th annual Capital Jazz Fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion June 5 to 7. The gates open Friday June 5 at 6:30 pm, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7. A three-day general festival pass is $138.50. Daily admission is $39.50 to $87.30. Tickets are available at the box office, at all Ticketmaster locations and by phone at 410-547-SEAT. For a schedule and more information, go to www.capitaljazz.com.

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