Dee Dee Bridgewater remains unmatched when it comes to energy, charisma and presence in the jazz singing community. She is lively on stage, and her strong voice is equal to her image. Part of the dynamism in her music is that Bridgewater refuses to stick to strict stylistic boundaries, and the knowledge of R&B, blues and gospel has always influenced her music. The artist has never been interested in pure jazz.

She was born in Memphis, Tennessee, which is one of the most important places for the Black music community in America. There, jazz, blues and soul have always mixed together and have been a source of great pride. Her father was a jazz trumpeter, so she lived surrounded by music. At sixteen, she already sang rock and R&B at local clubs. She later married the trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater – known for his long collaboration with Max Roach – and moved to live with him in New York. She began her jazz career as a singer in the legendary Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra and performed frequently in the city with other famous musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon. She released her first album in 1974. That same year, she honed her theatrical instincts as a Tony-winner in the original line-up of The Wiz, which won a Grammy in 1976 for Best Musical Album. Bridgewater has maintained this double track throughout most of her career. She has appeared in jazz musicals such as Sophisticated Ladies and Lady Day, a French production in which she played Billie Holiday. She has starred in several highly regarded films, including the 1984 film The Brother from Another Planet, directed by John Sayles.

Bridgewater has included an immensely wide range of musical genres on her albums, in recognition of such great jazz artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday. Each time she has expressed admiration for these legendary characters, using her original musical style. Her latest album Memphis ... Yes, I'm Ready from 2017 is not only a celebration of the rich heritage of the artist’s birthplace, but also a great summary of her original approach to jazz, full of references to soul and blues. Of course, no album or style can contain the whole of Bridgewater’s personality, which refuses to apply restrictions in her work. Even if she only supports the recording of other artists, her sensitivity or repertoire will always take the project beyond the designated area. The artist is a living legend of American music, no matter what she sings or with whom she performs.