Meet Dee Dee Bridgewater

As host of NPR’s JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dee Dee Bridgewater serves as a sparkling ambassador for jazz. Her illustrious multi-award winning career has taken her around the world. Now she is bringing her vocal talents to San Antonio for a concert performance hosted by Trinity University's KRTU 91.7 FM.

The day before her Alamo City engagement, KSTX 89.1 FM will host a reception to give you an opportunity to meet the renowned vocalist herself. Guests are invited to attend a dessert reception on Thursday, March 25 at 6 p.m. at the Radius Building in downtown San Antonio. Attendees will receive a copy of Dee Dee's new CD, Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee and have an opportunity to meet the artist. Reservations are $25 for Texas Public Radio members and $35 for non-members.

About Dee Dee Bridgewater

Dee Dee's roots in jazz stem from the influence of her parents, who exposed her to luminaries such as Ella Fitzgerald while she grew up in Michigan. Her early career took her on tour to the Soviet Union in 1969 as part of the University of Illinois’ Big Band. In 1970, she began to leave an indelible mark on the New York jazz scene as the lead vocalist for Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, one of the premier jazz orchestras of the time.

In 1975, Bridgewater was brought to larger prominence with her Tony Award-winning performance as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz. In the 1980s, Bridgewater settled in Paris to perform in Sophisticated Ladies and Lady Day, a one-woman portrayal of Billie Holiday in French, which earned her a Sir Laurence Olivier Award nomination. Bridgewater’s recording career won her further praise and accolades in the 90s when she won two Grammy Awards for her album Dear Ella, a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.

Bridgewater became the host of JazzSet in October 2001, on the retirement of the original host, saxophonist Branford Marsalis. Each week she brings phenomenal jazz performances from some of the best stages from across the country.

Dee Dee Bridgewater: 'Billie' And More In Concert