Jazz / Disco, Quiet Storm, Smooth Soul
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Vocals
Augie Johnson Vocals (Background)
Barry Beckett Keyboards
Billy Page Vocal Arrangement
Bob Defrin Art Direction
Bobbye Hall Conga
Carolyn Willia Vocals (Background)
Cliff Morris Guitar
David Hassinger Engineer
David Hood Bass
David T. Walker Guitar
Dean Parks Guitar
Ed Greene Drums
Gary Coleman Percussion
Gene Orloff Concert Master
Gene Page Arranger, Producer
Gregg Hamm Engineer
Harold Wheeler Horn Arrangements, Keyboards, String Arrangements
Harry Bluestone Concert Master
Henry Davis Bass
Herb Bushler Bass
Jackie Ward Vocals (Background)
Jerry Friedman Guitar
Jerry Masters Engineer
Jerry Wexler Producer
Jim Gilstrap Vocals (Background)
Jimmy Johnson Guitar
Joe Sample Keyboards
John Lehman Vocals (Background)
Jon Vogel Mastering
Lewis Hahn Mixing
Linda November Vocals (Background)
Loni Groves Vocals (Background)
Marti McCall Vocals (Background)
Melvin "Wah Wah" Ragin Guitar
Merry Clayton Vocals (Background)
Paula Scher Art Direction
Pete Carr Guitar
Ray Parker, Jr. Guitar
Roger Hawkins Drums
Stephen Y. Scheaffer Producer, Mixing
Steve Melton Engineer
Tom Hensley Keyboards
Vivian Cherry Vocals (Background)
Wilton Felder Bass
Dee Dee Bridgewater's self-titled album opens with a song that sounds closer to Gloria Gaynor than Ella Fitzgerald, throwing her jazz fans for a loop. This 1976 release explores R&B and funk territories, while still employing her strong, husky voice. She shows the amazing range and emotional expression that would make her "comeback" albums of the '90s so remarkable, while apparently having a lot of fun. While this album is out of character for her stylistically, it is still a fine addition to any fan's collection. ~ Stacia Proefrock, All Music Guide
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Active Decades: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: May 27, 1950 in Memphis, TN
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Disco, Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Standards, Quiet Storm, Vocal Jazz, Smooth Soul
One of the best jazz singers of her generation, Dee Dee Bridgewater (who was married to trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater in the early '70s) had to move to France to find herself. She performed in Michigan during the 1960s and toured the Soviet Union in 1969 with the University of Illinois Big Band. She sang with the Thad JonesMel Lewis orchestra (1972-1974) and appeared in the Broadway musical The Wiz (1974-1976). Due to erratic records and a lack of direction, Dee Dee Bridgewater was largely overlooked in the jazz world by the time she moved to France in the 1980s. She appeared in the show Lady Day and at European jazz festivals, and eventually formed her own backup group. By the late '80s, Bridgewater's Verve recordings were starting to alert American listeners as to her singing talents. Her 1995 Horace Silver tribute disc (Love and Peace) is a gem and resulted in the singer extensively touring the U.S, reintroducing her to American audiences. She would find even more success with her tribute album, Dear Ella, which won a Grammy in 1997.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
