How an old song forced jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater to confront past regrets

Jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater reflects on her career and shares her thoughts on the freedom of jazz.

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Legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater has been one of jazz's most distinctive voices for over five decades. She began her career with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and has shared stages with jazz greats including Max Roach, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Bridgewater is a multiple Grammy and Tony Award winner, with a career spanning not only music but also acting, broadcasting, and founding her own record label. She returns to Australia this October for her first tour in almost 12 years.

In an interview, Bridgewater reflects on unforgettable encounters with Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie, and shares the songs closest to her heart. She encourages young artists to learn as much as possible about the business side of music.

Bridgewater describes jazz as 'freedom of speech, is freedom of expression. It's just complete freedom.' She explains that in jazz, she can improvise and change the music nightly, finding new ways to interpret a song in different musical settings.

Bridgewater also appreciates the creativity and individuality that jazz allows. She says, 'I don't know any other music [where] everyone is able to create their own world.'

Bridgewater's career has been marked by memorable moments, including her first move to New York with her husband Cecil Bridgewater. She recalls receiving phone calls from Sonny Rollins, who would invite her to sing with him.