Dee Dee Bridgewater is a force to be reckoned with in the jazz world, and her latest endeavors are a testament to that. Despite being 75 years old, she exudes energy and idealism, refusing to sit idly by as the world around her grapples with issues of racism and democracy.
When asked about performing at upcoming concerts, Bridgewater's tone is unapologetic - "I just don't feel like it's the time to be doing love songs and whimsical songs from the 1920s and 30s," she says. Instead, she's drawn to music that sparks conversation and inspires action: Billy Taylor's civil rights anthem I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free, Gene McDaniels' Compared to What, Donny Hathaway's Tryin' Times and Bob Dylan's Gotta Serve Somebody.
Her platform as a jazz legend has given her the freedom to speak out on issues that matter most to her. "I'm too old and I've been through too much," she says, reflecting on her past experiences with racism and personal struggles. This is not just about singing; it's about using her voice to make a difference.
Bridgewater is also deeply invested in empowering women in jazz. She founded the Woodshed Network, an organization that provides female musicians with opportunities to learn and grow, both personally and professionally. Its mission - "to give all things they need to help get their careers off the ground" - resonates strongly with her own experiences as a young woman breaking into the male-dominated industry.
Speaking of which, Bridgewater has had her share of memorable collaborations and experiences in the past. From Max Roach's intense personality to Dizzy Gillespie's sweet nature, she's been fortunate enough to learn from some of jazz's greatest legends. Her time with Horace Silver's band was particularly formative, as well as her stint singing alongside Ray Charles.
But even as she looks back on these experiences, Bridgewater is forward-thinking and committed to innovation. She cites jazz icon Betty Carter as a role model - someone who took control of her own career and business, never afraid to challenge the status quo.
For Bridgewater, that's what it means to be true to oneself in an industry rife with tradition and expectation. "I always wanted to be like Miles Davis – not staying in one groove but constantly changing, not staying still," she says, a nod to her own artistic vision.
And yet, despite this sense of restlessness and desire for growth, Bridgewater is not naive about the challenges that come with using her platform to speak out. "I fear this government is going to start cracking down on free speech and coming after those of us who speak out," she warns.
Ultimately, it's this sense of urgency - this knowledge that there's still so much work to be done - that drives Bridgewater to keep pushing boundaries, experimenting with new sounds and styles, and using her voice to make a difference in the world.
When asked about performing at upcoming concerts, Bridgewater's tone is unapologetic - "I just don't feel like it's the time to be doing love songs and whimsical songs from the 1920s and 30s," she says. Instead, she's drawn to music that sparks conversation and inspires action: Billy Taylor's civil rights anthem I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free, Gene McDaniels' Compared to What, Donny Hathaway's Tryin' Times and Bob Dylan's Gotta Serve Somebody.
Her platform as a jazz legend has given her the freedom to speak out on issues that matter most to her. "I'm too old and I've been through too much," she says, reflecting on her past experiences with racism and personal struggles. This is not just about singing; it's about using her voice to make a difference.
Bridgewater is also deeply invested in empowering women in jazz. She founded the Woodshed Network, an organization that provides female musicians with opportunities to learn and grow, both personally and professionally. Its mission - "to give all things they need to help get their careers off the ground" - resonates strongly with her own experiences as a young woman breaking into the male-dominated industry.
Speaking of which, Bridgewater has had her share of memorable collaborations and experiences in the past. From Max Roach's intense personality to Dizzy Gillespie's sweet nature, she's been fortunate enough to learn from some of jazz's greatest legends. Her time with Horace Silver's band was particularly formative, as well as her stint singing alongside Ray Charles.
But even as she looks back on these experiences, Bridgewater is forward-thinking and committed to innovation. She cites jazz icon Betty Carter as a role model - someone who took control of her own career and business, never afraid to challenge the status quo.
For Bridgewater, that's what it means to be true to oneself in an industry rife with tradition and expectation. "I always wanted to be like Miles Davis – not staying in one groove but constantly changing, not staying still," she says, a nod to her own artistic vision.
And yet, despite this sense of restlessness and desire for growth, Bridgewater is not naive about the challenges that come with using her platform to speak out. "I fear this government is going to start cracking down on free speech and coming after those of us who speak out," she warns.
Ultimately, it's this sense of urgency - this knowledge that there's still so much work to be done - that drives Bridgewater to keep pushing boundaries, experimenting with new sounds and styles, and using her voice to make a difference in the world.
. She's not afraid to speak truth to power and it's about time someone did! I mean, who else can say they've had the chance to jam with Ray Charles and still manage to create something new and fresh? 
For real tho, she's a total inspiration - empowering women in jazz is so important and we need more people like her. And yeah, government restrictions on free speech are no joke... but I think Dee Dee's got this 
. She's been around the block a few times, you know?
Dee Dee Bridgewater is killing the game at 75 
! She's not afraid to speak truth to power and use her platform for good. I love how she's choosing music that sparks conversation and inspires action – it's so refreshing to hear jazz legends being used as a force for change 
.
– we need more female trailblazers like her!
.
. But I think it's amazing that she's willing to take those risks because she believes so strongly in the power of music and art to bring about change 
️.
.
. The threads are getting so long and cluttered, it's like digging through a mess of outdated comments and irrelevant posts. Dee Dee Bridgewater's latest endeavors are super inspiring, but let's be real, she's basically singing the blues about racism and democracy - we all know that already 
. And can we please get some new formatting options? The old scrolling box is so last century 
.
- but some of us have been saying these things for years without getting any traction.
. Can we please stick to the topic at hand? And while I love Bridgewater's commitment to empowering women in jazz, I think some of our male posters could learn from her example too 
.
. At 75, she's still blazing trails and refusing to be silenced 
. It's refreshing to see someone who's not afraid to challenge the status quo and push boundaries 
. And yeah, I get what she means about the government potentially cracking down on free speech... it's like, we can't let fear hold us back from speaking truth to power 
. Bridgewater's message is one of empowerment, self-discovery, and using our voices for good – that's something we could all learn from 
.
like racism and democracy. i love that she's not afraid to speak out and challenge the status quo - especially when it comes to women in jazz 
. the woodshed network is a great example of this, providing opportunities for female musicians to grow and thrive. also, her collaborations with other jazz legends are incredible 
. I love how she's refocusing on music that sparks conversation and inspires action – it's about time we got more of that in the jazz world 
. And empowering women in jazz? Forget about it, she's making it happen with her Woodshed Network 
. As someone who's been around for a minute, I can relate to that desire to constantly evolve and push boundaries. And yeah, the government might be cracking down on free speech, but Bridgewater ain't afraid to speak truth to power 
. Bring on the conversation, bring on the change!
Her collabs with legendary jazz musicians are insane btw - Max Roach and Dizzy Gillespie? Iconic legends 
!
she's like "hey, I'm 75 and I'm still gonna speak my mind" 
.
, giving young female musicians a chance to shine. It's awesome to see someone like Dee Dee using her platform to uplift others and create positive change.
. And while we can't know for sure what the future holds (especially with this whole free speech thing 
), I'm so grateful to have artists like Dee Dee Bridgewater using their voices to make a difference.
. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next! 
! I love how she's refusing to do love songs and instead singing about real issues like racism and social justice 
Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles... she's had some epic experiences! 
But what I love most is her commitment to innovation and staying true to herself, even when it means challenging the status quo 
. And can we talk about how she's empowerin' women in jazz? The Woodshed Network is a game-changer for female musicians 
. It's time to get behind artists who are using their voices for good 
. Let's raise our glasses (or in this case, our keyboards) to Dee Dee Bridgewater - she's the real deal! 
️. Dee Dee Bridgewater is giving us all something to live up to, and that's a powerful thing 
. It's not just about her music anymore, it's about being part of this whole social justice thing and I don't know if anyone can really do that without getting attacked for it 
. Still, I guess you gotta respect her spirit and all but at the same time...what's with all these young folks trying to save the world? Can't they just have a good time and enjoy some music in peace? 
. Her commitment to empowering women in jazz is inspiring, and it's clear that she's been through some struggles in the past, but they've only made her stronger.
. She's a true original, and I think we can all learn from her example. It's not just about the music; it's about using your platform to make a difference in the world. That takes courage, and I'm here for it 
. And I love how she's nodding to legends like Miles Davis and Betty Carter, but still pushing boundaries with her own music