There are some who marvel at the inexhaustible energy in the performances of the now 66-year-old Dee Dee Bridgewater. Others love her “classicism,” seeing in her the most authentic contemporary successor to the great female jazz singers of the past. And yet we could rightly enthuse just as much about her extraordinarily varied shows and her professionalism; the way in which she “occupies” a huge stage within moments to conjure a performance before her audience of a thousand hues in both sound and performing attitude. Bridgewater has a rich pedigree not only as a singer but also in the theatre, which we can sense immediately in the way she moves on stage, in her communication with the audience and fellow musicians, and in her interpretation of songs. She knows exactly how to mesmerise her public, and those working with her on stage too. Those who have seen her joint concert with the world-renowned pianist Lang Lang may recall how she enchanted the Chinese star with her self-deprecation, humour and charm.
Bridgewater is one of the sages of the genre and brings the same authenticity to her performances of standards (such as on her album dedicated to Ella Fitzgerald), French chansons and African music with traditional instrumental accompaniment. Her latest album sees her accompanied by a jazz orchestra, returning to the music of her homeland after excursions through Europe and Africa. On her 2017 tour and album currently in preparation, she goes all the way back to her city of birth: the still untitled record might be named after Memphis, since it assigns important roles to blues and R’n’B, as it brings to life the figures of Al Green, BB King, Otis Redding and the Staples Singers.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest