Tag Archives: Dee Dee Bridgewater

Roy Ayers Ubiquity: A Tear To A Smile

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On June 16, 1975, “Polydor” label released “A Tear to a Smile”, album by Roy Ayers Ubiquity (the 15th Roy Ayers album). It was recorded in 1974, and was produced by Roy Ayers.

Personnel:

  • Roy Ayers – lead and backing vocals
  • Wayne Garfield – lead and backing vocals
  • Dee Dee Bridgewater – lead and backing vocals
  • Debbie Darby – lead vocal
  • Edwin Birdsong – lead vocal
  • Carolyn Byrd, Debbie Burrell, Terry Burrell – backing vocals
  • William Allen – arrangements
  • Joel Brodsky – photography
  • James Green – co – producer

Track

All tracks by Roy Ayers.

  1. 2000 Black
  2. Magic Lady
  3. Show Us a Feeling
  4. Ebony Blaze
  5. Time and Space
  6. No Question
  7. The Way of the World
  8. The Old One Two (More to Groove)
  9. Miles (Loves’s Silent Dawn)
  10. A Tear to a Smile

Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap: Elemental

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On June 13, 2025, “Mack Avenue” label released “Elemental”, studio album by Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap. It was recorded in February 2025, at “Sear Sound” in New York City, and was produced by Dee Dee Bridgewater and Tulani Bridgewater-Kowalski.

Personnel:

  • Dee Dee Bridgewater – vocals
  • Bill Charlap – piano
  • Timothy J. Zick – recording, mixing

Track listing:

  1. Beginning to See the Light – Lou Reed
  2. Mood Indigo – Duke Ellington, Barney Bigard, Irving Mills
  3. Honeysuckle Rose – Thomas “Fats” Waller, Andy Razaf
  4. Here’s That Rainy Day – Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
  5. Love for Sale – Cole Porter
  6. S. Wonderful – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
  7. In the Still of the Night – Cole Porter
  8. Caravan – Juan Tizol, Duke Ellington

Rahsaan Eoland Kirk: Prepare Thyself to Deal with a Miracle

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In August 1973, “Atlantic” label released “Prepare Thyself to Deal with a Miracle”, the 24th Rahsaan Roland Kirk album. It was recorded in January 1973, at “Regent Sound Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Joel Dorn.

Personnel:

  • Roland Kirk: alto and tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute, nose flute, black mystery pipes Charles McGhee: trumpet
  • Dick Griffin: trombone
  • Harry Smiles: oboe
  • Sanford Allen, Julien Barber, Selwart Clarke, Gayle Dixon: violin
  • Al Brown: viola
  • Kermit Moore: cello
  • Ron Burton: piano
  • Henry Mattathias Pearson: bass
  • Robert Shy: drums
  • Sonny Brown, Ralph MacDonald: percussion
  • Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jeanne Lee: vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

  1. Salvation and Reminiscing
  2. Seasons: One Mind Winter/Summer/Ninth Ghost
  3. Celestial Blues
  4. Saxophone Concerto: Saxophone Miracle/One Breath Beyond/Dance of Revolution

Thom Bell

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On December 22, 2022, Thomas Randolph Bell died aged79. He was producer, arranger and songwriter, regarded as one of the creators of the Philadelphia soul in the 70’. As songwriter, arranger and producer he worked with Hattie Winston, The Delfonics, The Stylistics, The Spinners, New York City, Elton John, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Denice Williams, Jerry Butler, Archie Bell & the Drells, Jerry Bell, Dionne Warwick, The O’Jays, Dusty Springfield.  and James Ingram. In 2016, Bell was inducted into the “Songwriters Hall of Fame”, and into the ”Musicians Hall of Fame”.

Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and Manuel De Sica: Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis and Manuel De Sica and the Jazz Orschetra

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In September 1976, “Pausa” label released “Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and Manuel De Sica and the Jazz Orchestra”, album by Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and Manuel De Sica. It was recorded in September 1973 in London and in July 1974 in Perugia, Italy.

Personnel:

  • Manuel De Sica – composer
  • Thad Jones – flugelhorn
  • Mel Lewis – drums
  • Dee Dee Bridgewater – vocals
  • Roland Hanna – piano
  • George Mraz – bass
  • Jerry Dodgion – alto saxophone, flute
  • Eddie Xiques – alto saxophone, clarinet
  • Billy Harper – tenor saxophone
  • Ron Bridgewater – tenor saxophone, clarinet
  • Pepper Adams – baritone saxophone
  • Jon Faddis – trumpet
  • Jim Bossy – trumpet
  • Steve Furtado – trumpet
  • Cecil Bridgewater – trumpet
  • Jimmy Knepper – trombone
  • Quentin Jackson – trombone
  • Billy Campbell – trombone
  • Cliff Heather – trombone

Track listing:

  1. First Jazz Suite – Manuel De Sica
  2. Brasserie
  3. Father
  4. Sing
  5. Ballade
  6. For Life
  7. Little Pixie – Thad Jones

Chick Corea

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On February 9, 2020, Armando Anthony “Chick” Corea died aged 79. He was musician (piano, keyboards, percussion), composer and bandleader. He is regarded as one of the major piano players to emerge in jazz during the post-John Coltrane era. Recorded and performed with the most important Jazz musicians including Miles Davis, Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Blue Mitchell, Herbie Mann, Stan Getz, Roy Haunes, Miroslav Vitous, Stanley Clarke, Richard Davis, Joe Farrell, Joe Henderson, Eric Kloss, Hubert Laws, Herbie Mann, Blue Mitchell, John Patitucci, Wayne Shorter, Cal Tjader, Sonny Stitt, Dave Pike, Armando Peraza, Marion Brown, Sadao Watanabe, Larry Coryell, John Surman, Elvin Jones, Rolf Kühn, Airto Moreira, Antony Braxton, Pete La Roca, Al Di Meola, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ron Carter, Gábor Szabó, Donald Byrd, Tete Montoliu, Chaka Khan, Eddie Gomez, Wallace Rooney, Herbie Hancock, Antonio Sanches, Gary Burton and Hiromi Uehara. Corea formed and lead Return to Forever, Circle, Chick Corea Elektric Band, Chick Corea Akoustic Band and Five Peace Band. As leader he released 77 studio and 23 live albums. Corea won 23 “Grammy Awards”.

Leon Ndugu Chancler

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On February 3, 2018, Leon “Ndugu” Chancler died aged 65. He was musician (drums, percussion), composer, music producer and university professor. He recorded and performed with numerous famous artists including Mile Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson,  Eddie Harris, Patti LaBelle, John Lee Hooker, Donna Summer, George Benson, Robbie Robertson, Syreeta Wright, Hampton Hawes, Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, George Duke, Sheena Easton, Peabo Bryson, Joe Henderson, Lionel Richie, Cheryl Lynn, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tina Turner, Patrice Rushen, Jennifer Holliday, Harold Land, Minnie Riperton, Azar Lawrence, Santana, Lalo Schifrin, Julian Priester, Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock.

Dee Dee Bridgewater: Dee Dee’s Feathers

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On August 14, 2015, “Masterworks” and “OKeh” labels released “Dee Dee’s Feathers”, the 19th Dee Dee Bridgewater album. It was recorded in March 2014, at “Esplanade Studios”, and was produced by Irvin Mayfield.

Personnel:

  • Dee Dee Bridgewater – lead vocals
  • John – vocals
  • Glen David Andrews – vocals
  • Victor Atkins – piano
  • Don Vappie – guitar, banjo
  • Jasen Weaver – bass
  • Peter Harris – bass
  • Adonis Rose – drums
  • Bill Summers – percussion
  • Khari Allen Lee – alto saxophone
  • Rex Gregory – alto saxophone, flute, clarinet
  • Jason Marshall – baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
  • Derek Douget – tenor saxophone
  • Edward Petersen – tenor saxophone
  • David Harris – trombone
  • Emily Fredrickson – trombone
  • Michael Watson – vocals, trombone
  • Bernard Floyd – trumpet
  • Branden Lewis – trumpet
  • Eric Lucero – trumpet
  • Leon Brown – alto vocals, trumpet
  • Ashlin Parker – vocals, trumpet
  • Irvin Mayfield – vocals, trumpet
  • Ronald Markham – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. One Fine Thing – Harry Connick Jr.
  2. What a Wonderful World – Bob Thiele, George David Weiss
  3. Big Chief – Earl King Johnson
  4. Saint James Infirmary – Joe Primrose (Irving Mills)
  5. Dee Dee’s Feathers – Dee Dee Bridgewater
  6. New Orleans – Hoagy Carmichael
  7. Theme Song / Do Whatcha Wanna – John Boutte
  8. Come Sunday – Duke Ellington
  9. Congo Square – Bill Summers, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Irvin Mayfield
  10. C’est Ici Que Je T’aime – Irvin Mayfield
  11. Do You Know What It Means – Eddie DeLange, Louis Alter
  12. Whoopin’ Blues – Benny Jones, Bruce Christian Brackman, Craig Klein, Julius McKee, Lionel Batiste, Roger Hayward Lewis

Christian McBride: Conversations with Christian

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On November 8, 2011, “Mack Avenue” label released “Conversations with Christian”,  the tenth Christian McBride album. It was recorded in 2011, at “Avatar Studios”, and “MSR Studios” in New York City, “Chicago Recording Company” in Chicago, “LeGonks”  in Los Angeles, and was produced by Christian McBride.

Personnel:

  • Christian McBride – upright bass
  • Angélique Kidjo – vocal
  • Dee Dee Bridgewater – vocal
  • Sting – vocal
  • Gina Gershon – vocal
  • Russell Malone – guitar
  • Hank Jones – piano
  • Chick Corea – piano
  • Billy Taylor – piano
  • George Duke – keyboards
  • Regina Carter – violin
  • Ron Blake – saxophone
  • Roy Hargrove – trumpet
  • Mat Lejeune – engineer
  • Fernando Lodeiro – engineer assistant
  • Randall Kennedy – creative director
  • Anna Webber – photography
  • André Kimo – associate producer

Track listing:

  1. Afrika – Jean Hébrail, Angélique Kidjo
  2. Fat Bach and Greens – Johann Sebastian Bach, traditional
  3. Consider Me Gone – Sting
  4. Guajeo y Tumbao – Eddie Palmieri
  5. Baubles, Bangles and Beads – George Forrest, Robert Wright
  6. Spiritual – Billy Taylor
  7. It’s Your Thing – O’Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley
  8. Alone Together – Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz
  9. McDukey Blues – Christian McBride
  10. Tango Improvisation #1 – Chick Corea, Christian McBride
  11. Sister Rosa – Christian McBride
  12. Shake ‘n Blake – Christian McBride
  13. Chitlins and Gefiltefish – Christian McBride

Dee Dee Bridgewater: Dear Ella

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On September 30, 1997, “Verve” label released “Dear Ella”, the eleventh Dee Dee Bridgewater studio album. It was recorded January – February 1997.  At the 40th Grammy Awards, the album won Bridgewater the “Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album” and Slide Hampton the “Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist”, for the arrangement of “Cotton Tail”.

Personnel:

  • Dee Dee Bridgewater– vocals
  • Cecil Bridgewater– trumpet, arranger, conductor
  • Antonio Hart– alto saxophone, soloist
  • Jeff Clayton– alto saxophone
  • Teodross Avery– tenor saxophone
  • Bill Easley– tenor saxophone
  • Patience Higgins – baritone saxophone
  • Virgil Jones – trumpet, horn, soloist
  • Byron Stripling– trumpet
  • Ron Tooley – trumpet
  • Diego Urcola – trumpet
  • Slide Hampton– trombone, arranger, conductor
  • Clarence Banks – trombone, horn, soloist
  • Benny Powell– trombone
  • Robert Trowers– trombone
  • Douglas Purviance– bass trombone
  • Robert Lloyd – horn
  • Anderson – tuba
  • Taylor – flute
  • Jowitt – clarinet
  • Wallbank – bass clarinet
  • J. Morgan – oboe
  • Lou Levy– piano, arranger
  • Milt Jackson– vibraphone
  • Kenny Burrell– guitar, arranger
  • Ray Brown– double bass
  • Grady Tate– drums
  • André Ceccarelli– drums
  • Hakin – percussion
  • Boguslaw Kostecki, A. Noland, T. Williams, R. Wilson – violin
  • Graham and G. Jackson – viola
  • Peter Willison – cello
  • John Clayton – big band arranger, conductor
  • Rob Eaton, Keith Grant, Al Schmitt– engineer
  • Peter Doell, Koji Egawa, Brian Garten, Alex Marcou – engineer assistant
  • Jean Luc Barilla – design
  • Philippe Pierangeli – photography

Track listing:

  1. A-Tisket, A-Tasket – Van Alexander, Ella Fitzgerald
  2. Mack the Knife – Marc Blitzstein, Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill
  3. Undecided – Leo Robin, Charlie Shavers
  4. Midnight Sun – Sonny Burke, Lionel Hampton, Johnny Mercer
  5. Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love – Cole Porter
  6. How High the Moon – Morgan Hamilton, Nancy Lewis
  7. (If You Can’t Sing It) You’ll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini) – Sam Coslow
  8. Cotton Tail – Duke Ellington
  9. My Heart Belongs to Daddy – Cole Porter
  10. (I’d Like to Get You on a) Slow Boat to China – Frank Loesser
  11. Oh, Lady be Good! – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
  12. Stairway to the Stars — Matty Malneck, Mitchell Parish, Frank Signorelli
  13. Dear Ella – Kenny Burrell