Dee Dee Bridgewater

Birth Place: Memphis, TN, USA

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Dee Dee Bridgewater BIO

Dee Dee Bridgewater is a Grammy and Tony Award-winning jazz singer, actress, and radio host. Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1950, Bridgewater grew up in Flint, Michigan, where she began singing in church choirs and studying piano and clarinet. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she studied theater and music, and later moved to New York City to pursue a career in entertainment.

Bridgewater made her Broadway debut in 1970 in the musical "The Me Nobody Knows." She went on to appear in several other Broadway productions, including "Black Ballad," "The Wiz," and "Sophisticated Ladies," for which she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical in 1982. She also appeared in the London production of "Lady Day" in 1986, a one-woman show about the life of Billie Holiday.

In addition to her theater work, Bridgewater has released over 20 albums as a jazz vocalist. Her debut album, "Afro Blue," was released in 1974 and was a critical and commercial success. She has since released several albums that have earned her Grammy Awards, including "Dear Ella," a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, and "Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee," a tribute to Billie Holiday.

Bridgewater has also collaborated with a number of other musicians throughout her career, including Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, and Max Roach. She has performed at jazz festivals and venues around the world, including the Newport Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the Hollywood Bowl.

In addition to her work as a performer, Bridgewater has also worked as a radio host. She hosted the National Public Radio series "JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater" from 2001 to 2014, which featured live recordings of jazz performances from around the world.

Bridgewater has also appeared in several films and television shows throughout her career. She had a recurring role on the NBC sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" in the early 1990s, and has also appeared in films such as "The Cotton Club" and "Round Midnight."

Most recently, Bridgewater released the album "Memphis...Yes, I'm Ready" in 2017, which pays tribute to her hometown and features covers of songs by Memphis musicians such as B.B. King and Otis Redding. She also appeared in the film "Bolden," a biopic about jazz musician Buddy Bolden, which was released in 2019.

Dee Dee Bridgewater Photos

Dee Dee Bridgewater STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Little Shubert Theatre Revival, 2013
Billie Holiday

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1982
Featured Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Geneva Lee Browne

Geneva Lee Browne

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1975
Glinda

Glinda

Aunt Em (Understudy) [Replacement]

Aunt Em (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1935
Lady of the Ensemble


Dee Dee Bridgewater Videos

Dee Dee Bridgewater News


Nashville Symphony Announces 2024/25 Season

Featuring more than 100 performances covering a range of genres and styles, the Nashville Symphony has announced its 2024/25 season.

Robert Klein and Julie Gold Among The 14 Honorees At The 39th Annual BISTRO AWARDS GALA

Celebrate the musical and comedy artistry of Robert Klein, Julie Gold, and more at the 39th Annual Bistro Awards Gala on April 1 at Gotham Comedy Club. Hosted by Steve Hayes, the event honors exceptional artists with performances and special awards.

THE WIZ Will Launch a Second Tour Leg in 2025

THE WIZ will ease on down the road once again, beginning in February 2025, with further tour dates to be announced. Learn more about the upcoming performances here!

Photos: First Look At Wayne Brady In Broadway-Bound THE WIZ

See first look photos of Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated Wayne Brady as ‘The Wiz’ in the groundbreaking musical set to open on Broadway on Wednesday, April 17, in a limited engagement at the Marquis Theatre.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center Celebrates Songs By Peggy Lee & Frank Sinatra This February

Broadway stars perform songs from Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee in a New Jersey celebration of their music. For press requests, contact Angela Thomas at 201.503.1333.

Black Women Dominate Production Team Of The Inaugural Jazz Music Awards For Standout Recognition Of America's Indigenous Art Form

Hosted by Dee Dee Bridgewater, the three-time Grammy Award-winning artist, NEA Jazz Master, and Tony Award winner, with Delroy Lindo, the widely acclaimed stage and screen actor, Peabody Award winner and Tony Award nominee, the show was packed with heartfelt tributes to special honorees as well as stunning live performances.

Paula Cole, Aloe Blacc and More Join Frank Sinatra-Peggy Lee Celebration at NJPAC

Join us for a one-night only tribute show honoring the legendary Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee. Led by musical director Christian McBride, this star-studded celebration will feature a lineup of talented artists. Get all the details and save the date for this unforgettable event.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld December 29th, 2023

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is December 29, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Videos: Watch Tituss Burgess, Lin-Manuel Miranda & More Perform at the Kennedy Center Honors

This year's honorees include Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, and Dionne Warwick. Watch videos of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana DeBose, Tituss Burgess, Dove Cameron, Marc Shaiman, Cynthia Erivo, Christine Baranski, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Gladys Knight now!

PBS Member Station Georgia Public Broadcasting Announces The Broadcast Of The Inaugural Jazz Music Awards

PBS member station Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) announces the inaugural Jazz Music Awards, a two-hour award show celebrating the best in Jazz. Hosted by Dee Dee Bridgewater and Delroy Lindo, the show will feature performances by Dianne Reeves, Kenny Garrett, and more.

Jazz Stars Ambrose Akinmusire, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Stefon Harris To Perform On Final Day of Gift of Fifth Holiday Open Streets

Jazz icons Ambrose Akinmusire, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Stefon Harris will perform as part of Fifth Avenue Holiday Open Streets on December 17. Don't miss this opportunity to see these talented artists in action!

NJPAC Celebrates The Songs Of Peggy Lee & Frank Sinatra This February

NJPAC celebrates the songs of Peggy Lee & Frank Sinatra in a New Jersey celebration of iconic music. Don't miss this unforgettable event!

See Karen Mason, James Barbour & More at Birdland This Holiday Season

Get into the holiday spirit with the exciting holiday programming at Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater. Enjoy live performances and festive music in the heart of New York City.

Upcoming Shows At The Den to Feature Alonzo Bodden, Danny LoPriore, Stephen Kramer Glickman & Scott Seiss

THE DEN THEATRE announces upcoming performances by Alonzo Bodden, Danny LoPriore, Stephen Kramer Glickman, and Scott Seiss. Tickets on sale now.

Alonzo Bodden to Perform at the Stanley Hotel This Month

Alonzo Bodden will be performing live at The Stanley Hotel on December 30, 2023. Get ready to laugh with this talented comedian!

NJPAC Announces Winter Jazz 2024 Line-up Including Max Roach Centennial Celebrations

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announces 2024 Winter Jazz performances including Max Roach Centennial Celebrations, All-Star Musical Exploration of Peggy Lee-Frank Sinatra, and more.

Haitian-American Singer Tyreek McDole Wins 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

Tyreek McDole wins the 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition as part of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival and Year-Round Centennial Celebrations Honoring Sarah Vaughan. McDole is the second male vocalist to win in the contest's history.

Tyreek McDole Wins The 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition 

Tyreek McDole wins the annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition as part of NJPAC's TD James Moody Jazz Festival and Year-Round Centennial Celebrations Honoring Sarah Vaughan.

Louis Armstrong's BLACK & BLUES Documentary to Screen at TD James Moody Jazz Festival

Join in for a FREE screening of the critically acclaimed film, Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues, at the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.

Photos: First Look at the Cast of Broadway-Bound THE WIZ; Tickets On Sale Now!

Tickets are now on sale to the general public for The Wiz, set to open on Broadway on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in a limited engagement at the Marquis Theatre (210 West 46th Street). Check out all new character posters, featuring a first look at the cast, in the photos here! 

Dee Dee Bridgewater FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Dee Dee Bridgewater has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

Dee Dee Bridgewater has not appeared in the West End.

Dee Dee Bridgewater has been nominated for the following awards: - Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for "Lady Day" - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for "The Wiz"

Dee Dee Bridgewater won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for her role in The Wiz.

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