Happy Birthday Dee Dee!

By: Joe Farmer Follow

Since her birth in the United States on May 27, 1950, singer Dee Dee Bridgewater has been traveling the world to carry the flame of an invigorating, multicultural and radiant swing. Each of his albums tells a story. These are the stages of a transatlantic life that accompanies "The Epic of Black Music". This week, we are celebrating 70 years of a human adventure that led Dee Dee Bridgewater from Memphis to Paris, from Bamako to New Orleans, from Tokyo to Washington. Happy birthday Dee Dee!

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Among the many albums that Dee Dee Bridgewater has released over the years, two recordings remain dear to his heart. The first appeared in 1997. It was a reverence to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. "Dear Ella" symbolized the respect of an inspired artist for her illustrious elder. Grieved by the disappearance and the few tributes paid to this icon of universal jazz, Dee Dee Bridgewater had gathered the cream of international musicians to salute a queen of vocal art with dignity. Ray Brown, Lou Levy, Slide Hampton, Kenny Burrell, among others, accompanied the melodious scat ornaments of a grateful Dee Dee in the studio. 

The other key moment of "The Dee Dee Bridgewater epic" took place in Mali in 2006. In search of his African roots, Dee Dee had the feeling of finding a part of himself in Bamako. Surrounded by Cheick Tidiane Seck, Oumou Sangaré, Bassekou Kouyaté, Djelimady Tounkara, Ramata Diakité, in particular, she seemed to flourish and reveal herself on the red earth of her distant ancestors. "Red Earth" was therefore created at the Bogolan studios and became one of the emblematic records of his artistic journey. He was also nominated at the famous Grammy Awards 2007. 

It would be unfair, however, to reduce the prestigious career of Dee Dee Bridgewater to these two very successful productions. It is a rich discography which punctuates, since the 70s, the destiny of this exquisite performer of the jazz repertoire. Let us remember his majestic duet with Ray Charles on the album "Victim of Love" in 1989 or his winks supported by Billie Holiday and Horace Silver in 1995 and 2010. Nor should we forget to applaud his Always thrilling performances, some echoes of which are returned to us on several amazing albums ("Live in Paris", "In Montreux", "Live at Yoshi's"). And finally congratulate ourselves for having been able to enjoy its presence in France for 24 years. Dee Dee Bridgewater was quickly adopted by the French public in the 80s and remains a pampered personality on both sides of the Atlantic. 

From his New Orleans residence, Dee Dee Bridgewater has agreed to come back for us on some stages of his hectic life. By phone, she shares with us her memories, her hopes, her desires and her enthusiasms. At 70, she does not intend to mark time and has nothing to do with this symbolic course which does not start her momentum and vitality. If the health crisis and confinement have changed her daily life somewhat, she continues to invest herself body and soul to give happiness to her many admirers. During the recent "International Jazz Day" organized by Unesco, she wanted to participate in the collective effort by addressing, through social networks, children curious about the history of jazz. This generous gesture alone sums up the altruistic intention of this eminent figure in "The Epic of Black Music". Happy Birthday Dee Dee!

Dee Dee Bridgewater website

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