Dee Dee Bridgewater
At the MAC

College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn , IL
November 7, 2009

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Story and Photos by James Walker, Jr.

Having another opportunity to witness the artistry of consummate entertainer, Dee Dee Bridgewater was an event that this listener anxiously awaited for months. When it comes to "triple threat" performers, Ms. Bridgewater is at the top of that oh so limited list. She dances, acts, and sings and on this night she shared all her talents with the capacity crowd at the Arts Center at the College of Dupage in Glen Ellyn.

This performance was billed as a "Celebration of Lady Day".....a tribute to Billie Holiday. Dee Dee did not simply imitate Billie, she interpreted Billie's music with her own special arrangements without committing musical sacrilege. Throughout the evening, Dee Dee was having a conversation with the audience between songs , when she wasn't "flirting" with bassist Kenny Davis and multireedist Craig Handy. Other members of the ensemble included drummer Bruce Cox and pianist Edsel Gomez.

For an hour and forty five minutes, Dee Dee and her "gentlemen of distinction" entertained all with some of Billie's tireless classics. She opened the show with "Lady Sings the Blues", and it was obvious that Dee Dee and Craig Handy would be making sweet music together all night long. He accompanied her and responded with short snippets after most of her verses. It was done in a very sensuous and seductive manner as if he was talking back to her. They worked so well together , whether he was blowing the tenor, soprano or flute.

Other classics included "Good Morning Heartache","Lover Man"," You've Changed", "Them There Eyes","He treats Me Oh So Mean" "Don't Explain","God Bless The Child", "Foggy Day In London Town", and" Take All of Me".

This triple superstar demonstrated her dancing skills from the top with with an "African" strut during "Lady Sings The Blues" and that 'Nawlins' "2nd Line " step on "Them There Eyes". Pianist Gomez had one of his finest moments during this New Orleans tinged up beat arrangement.

Dee Dee had her way with bass man Davis on "My Mother's Son in Law", as the two of them carried this number until the final chords. Nice fleet picking on the part of Chicago native Kenny Davis. He also stood out on "Don't Explain" as he adeptly put the bow to good use.

Although he wasn't asked to solo too often , drummer Bruce Cox played with a beautiful sound on his drums that he exhibited throughout the performance.

Upon completing this splendid performance the knowledgeable MAC audience responded with a well deserved standing ovation, which resulted in Dee Dee singing "Take All Of Me" as an encore. All band mates took this final opportunity for extended solos.

For those not in attendance , don't worry, Dee Dee and her band mates will roll out their new CD in February that will include almost all the songs they performed on this very special evening. Look out "Grammy".

Congratulations to 90.9FM WDCB and the College of DuPage for this the second in their series of four star studded jazz concerts during the 2009-2010 season. For detailed information about future such events , refer their website at www.AtTheMAC.org.