Seven-time Grammy Award-winning jazz and pop singer Al Jarreau has died in Los Angeles at the age of 76, his publicist says, BBC reports. 

The cause of his death was not immediately clear. He was in a hospital being treated for exhaustion.

A rare artist to have won a Grammy in jazz, pop and R&B categories, Jarreau was famed for writing the theme to hit television show Moonlighting.

Earlier this month, he retired from touring after more than 50 years.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1940, he started singing as a child, joining his family in church concerts and events.

But his career did not kick off until years later - first, he graduated in psychology and worked at a rehabilitation centre in San Francisco.

His first album, We Got By, came out in 1975 and earned him a German Grammy.