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Dee Dee Bridgewater

Dee Dee Bridgewater is an NEA Jazz Master

Few entertainers have ever commanded such depth of artistry in every medium. Fewer still have been rewarded with Broadway’s coveted Tony Award (Best Featured Actress in a Musical The Wiz), nominated for the London theater’s West End equivalent, the Laurence Oliver Award (Best Actress in a Musical Lady Day), won three Grammy® Awards (1998’s Best Jazz Vocal Performance and Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal for "Cottontail" Slide Hampton, arranger "Dear Ella", and Best Jazz Vocal Album for "Eleanora Fagan: To Billie with Love from Dee Dee, 2011), and France’s 1998 top honor Victoire de la Musique (Best Jazz Vocal Album), as well as induction into France's Haute Conseil de la Francophonie, Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite, and Officier des Arts et des Lettres.

Bridgewater is an NEA Jazz Master, Doris Duke Artist, ASCAP Champion, Memphis Music Hall of Fame Inductee and recipient of three Honorary Doctorates (Michigan State University, Berklee College of Music, and Elmhurst University). For decades she served as the host of NPR's "JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater," produced by WBGO. She also serves as a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization and founded the non- profit program, The Woodshed Network for self-identifying women in jazz.

Denise "Dee Dee" Garrett was born in Memphis on May 27, 1950 to parents Marion Garrett (nee Holliday) and Matthew Garrett. Her father was a trumpeter, educator and radio host "Matt the Platter Cat" on famed WDIA. Exposed to jazz at an early age, Dee Dee grew up with the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley, among others. When the family relocated to Flint, MI, Dee Dee continued to listen to WDIA, maintaining her connection to her birthplace, which later inspired her critically acclaimed 2017 self-produced release "Memphis...Yes, I'm Ready" (DDB Records/Sony Masterworks).

By the age of 16 she was in an R& B vocal trio that would eventually be scouted by Motown Records. The family had relocated to Clinton, Michigan and naturally an audition with nearby Motown was inevitable. But the label turned her down, not for her lack of talent, but because of the groups’ young age. When Dee Dee was 18 years old, she attended Michigan State University and joined saxophonist Andy Courtridge's group. In 1969, she transferred to the University of Illinois, where her exception talent was tapped by John Garvey, the University's Jazz Band Director, who hired her for a tour. In 1970, Denise met and married hard bop trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater (Horace Silver, Max Roach, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, The Loud Minority). Together, the newlyweds relocated to New York.

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Profile

Starting Over with Dee Dee Bridgewater

Read "Starting Over with Dee Dee Bridgewater" reviewed by Mathew Bahl


In jazz, as in life, the most interesting path between two points is rarely a straight line. Consider the acclaimed jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater For much of the 1990s, Bridgewater engaged in what was arguably the decade's most dynamic, comprehensive and witty exploration of the idea of the human voice as an instrument. Along the way, she packed clubs and concert halls, released several commercially successful CDs, and became a fixture at the Grammy awards and in jazz polls. ...

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Liner Notes

Heiner Stadler: Brains on Fire

Read "Heiner Stadler: Brains on Fire" reviewed by Howard Mandel


Brains on Fire fuels reflection on the past and response in the present. These eight extraordinary extended tracks, recorded in unusual conjunctions of master jazz improvisers instigated by composer/pianist Heiner Stadler for sessions held from 1966 through 1974, are alive with the passions of that era celebrating large, original works stretching the bounds of even the most ambitious music come before. As Stadler and his cadre of fully collaborative, creative interpreters brought immense smarts, skills and sensibilities besides ...

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In Pictures

Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap at the American Theater

Read "Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap at the American Theater" reviewed by Mark Robbins


Grammy-award winning artists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap were scheduled to perform at Hampton Virginia's American Theater in February of 2021 but the show had to be indefinitely postponed due to the Covid lockdown. It took two years but the duo finally made it to the venue to an eager audience thankful to hear live music again. The adage “opposites attract" could not be truer when it comes to these two performers. Charlap, the composed, elegant, understated pianist and ...

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Live Review

The 2021 Detroit Jazz Festival: A Commitment to the Music, Day 1

Read "The 2021 Detroit Jazz Festival: A Commitment to the Music, Day 1" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 This is the first of four pieces covering the 2021 Detroit International Jazz Festival. Two weeks before the festival, a decision was made to go to a virtual format due to the surge provided by the Delta variant of Covid-19. Three outdoor stages became three soundstages in the ballrooms of the Renaissance Marriott hotel. All sets were run back to back, with no overlap. This made roaming ...

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Radio & Podcasts

New Releases and Birthday Shoutouts to Clora Bryant, Peggy Lee, Dee Dee Bridgewater and More

Read "New Releases and Birthday Shoutouts to Clora Bryant, Peggy Lee, Dee Dee Bridgewater and More" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast presents new singles from The Baylor Project, the Requinte Trio and Ann Hampton Callaway, plus new releases from Le Perez and Meredith d'Ambrosio with birthday shoutouts to Clora Bryant, Peggy Lee, Yissy Garcia, Samantha Boshnack, Mala Waldron, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Adison Evans and Lynne Arriale, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music. Playlist Gabriel Mark Hasselbach “I'm Gonna Go Fishin'" from MidCentury Modern Vol II (Windtunnel Records) ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Women in Jazz: In Tribute to Billie

Read "Women in Jazz: In Tribute to Billie" reviewed by Russell Perry


In 2015, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Billie Holiday's birth. In 2020, the documentary Billie was released and now the flawed biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday has come out. In the last several years, there have been significant tribute records by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cassandra Wilson and José James. In addition, songs from Billie's repertoire have earned a permanent place in jazz performance, being represented on many recent releases. Interest in Billie Holiday has never been higher. ...

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Book Review

Gerlando Gatto - L'altra metà del jazz

Read "Gerlando Gatto - L'altra metà del jazz" reviewed by Neri Pollastri


L'altra metà del jazz Gerlando Gatto 255 pagine ISBN: 978-88-97705-81-9 Kappa Vu, Udine 2018 Circa un anno dopo il suo Gente di Jazz (clicca qui per leggerne la recensione) Gerlando Gatto torna a pubblicare un nuovo libro di interviste. La novità--come annuncia il titolo parafrastico--sta nel tipo di protagonisti delle interviste: L'altra metà del jazz sono infatti le interpreti femminili di questa musica, quelle “voci di donne nella musica jazz"--come recita il ...

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Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Dee Dee Bridgewater goes back to Memphis

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Dee Dee Bridgewater goes back to Memphis

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week, StLJN's video spotlight shines on singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, who will be in St. Louis to perform next Saturday, November 17 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Long known as one of the top female jazz singers of her generation, Bridgewater went in a different musical direction for her most recent album, Memphis... Yes, I'm Ready, which came out last year and features her takes on famous soul and blues tunes associated with her hometown. On the album and ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Dee Dee Bridgewater & Irvin Mayfield, Tammy McCann, Joe Krown, Pink Martini, and more

Jazz this week: Dee Dee Bridgewater & Irvin Mayfield, Tammy McCann, Joe Krown, Pink Martini, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

With the weather taking a timely spring-like turn, it's a very busy week for jazz and creative music in St. Louis, with a couple of touring headliners in town plus visits by some lesser-known but worthy musicians from jny: NYC, jny: Chicago, jny: Boston and jny: New Orleans. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, March 16 Singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and trumpeter Irvin Mayfield (pictured, top left) will perform for the first of four nights at Jazz at the Bistro. ...

Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Dee Dee Bridgewater and Irvin Mayfield

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Dee Dee Bridgewater and Irvin Mayfield

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Today, let's look at some videos of singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, who are coming to St. Louis to perform starting Wednesday, March 16 and continuing through Saturday, March 19 at Jazz at the Bistro. Already well-established as individual artists, Bridgewater and Mayfield joined forces for the first time in 2015 to collaborate on the album Dee Dee's Feathers, which features the two of them with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and assorted guest stars playing songs ...

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Education

Julio Iglesias, Doug Morris, Harvey Mason, Dee Dee Bridgewater To Receive Honorary Degrees At Berklee Commencement May 9

Julio Iglesias, Doug Morris, Harvey Mason, Dee Dee Bridgewater To Receive Honorary Degrees At Berklee Commencement May 9

Source: Berklee Media Relations

Berklee College of Music president Roger H. Brown will present Julio Iglesias, Doug Morris, Harvey Mason, and Dee Dee Bridgewater with honorary doctor of music degrees at Berklee's commencement ceremony, Saturday, May 9, at the 7,000-seat Agganis Arena at Boston University. More than 900 Berklee graduates, their parents, and invited guests will be in attendance. This year's honorary doctorate recipients are being recognized for their achievements and influences in music, and for their enduring contributions to American and international culture. ...

Performance / Tour

Dee Dee Bridgewater - June 9 - National Jazz Museum In Harlem Benefit Concert

Dee Dee Bridgewater - June 9 - National Jazz Museum In Harlem Benefit Concert

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

National Jazz Museum in Harlem Benefit Concert - June 9 Featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jonathan Batiste & Special Surprise Guests Concert at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College The National Jazz Museum in Harlem invites you to the June 9th, 2014 Gala Benefit Concert & Awards Ceremony held at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. The event features renowned Tony Award winner and 3-time Grammy Award winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, plus performances by Jonathan Batiste, the Museum's Artistic Director at ...

Radio

Jessye Norman To Be Special Guest Host On WBGO Tuesday, 9/10, Noon

Jessye Norman To Be Special Guest Host On WBGO Tuesday, 9/10, Noon

Source: Carolyn McClair Public Relations

JESSYE NORMAN TO HOST AN HOUR ON WBGO JAZZ 88.3 FM MID-DAY JAZZ WITH RHONDA HAMILTON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, NOON Ms. Norman Also Will Serve as Honorary Chair and Hostess of WBGO’s LADY DAY Benefit, Starring Dee Dee Bridgewater, on September 24, 7:00 pm, at the Little Shubert Theatre NEWARK, NJ: Jessye Norman is known the world over as one of the most celebrated opera singers of all time, but that doesn’t stop her from being a devoted jazz fan. ...

Event

WBGO/Actors Fund Benefit: Lady Day W/dee Dee Bridgewater + Hostess Jessye Norman

WBGO/Actors Fund Benefit: Lady Day W/dee Dee Bridgewater + Hostess Jessye Norman

Source: Carolyn McClair Public Relations

WBGO JAZZ 88.3 FM and The Actors Fund Host A Special Benefit Performance of new Billie Holiday Musical Lady Day Starring Dee Dee Bridgewater Tuesday, September 24, 7:00 pm at Little Shubert Theatre Renowned Opera Star JESSYE NORMAN to Serve as Honorary Chair and Hostess of Benefit Tickets On Sale Now Previews Begin September 19 Opening Slated for October 3 NEWARK, NJ: Don’t miss ...

Performance / Tour

Kuumbwa Jazz Celebrates International Jazz Day With Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour

Kuumbwa Jazz Celebrates International Jazz Day With Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour

Source: Bennett Jackson

Santa Cruz, CA: Kuumbwa Jazz will proudly join in the International Jazz Day celebrations taking place all over the world on April 30, 2013 by presenting an encore performance of Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Benny Green, Lewis Nash, Chris Potter & Ambrose Akinmusire. “What better way to celebrate the history and impact of jazz, than spending International Jazz Day with the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour band,” says Monterey Jazz Festival Board Member ...

Performance / Tour

Dee Dee Bridgewater To Star In Lady Day The Musical

Dee Dee Bridgewater To Star In Lady Day The Musical

Source: Muse Media

The Billie Holiday Musical Previews Begin September 12th Opening slated for September 26th Little Shubert Theatre New York, NY: Tony and multiple Grammy Award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater will star as one of the world’s incomparable and legendary jazz artists —- Billie Holiday, in the celebrated musical “Lady Day” opening Thursday, September 26th (6:30PM) at Times Square’s Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues). Written and directed by Stephen Stahl, ...

Radio

Chihiro Yamanaka Trio On "Jazzset With Dee Dee Bridgewater"

Chihiro Yamanaka Trio On "Jazzset With Dee Dee Bridgewater"

Source: SF Media

The Chihiro Yamanaka Trio will appear on National Public Radio's “JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater," scheduled for broadcast on WBGO (88.3 FM, Newark) on August 5, from 7 PM to 8 PM, and on many other NPR-affiliated stations throughout the United States. The program will present highlights from Ms. Yamanaka's May 10, 2012 acclaimed performance at the Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. In addition to ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Let There Be Love

Alan Franke Records
2021

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Brains on Fire

Labor Records
2012

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Eleanora Fagan...

Verve Records
2010

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Eleanora Fagan...

Unknown label
2010

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Red Earth

Verve Records
2007

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Videos

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