chargement...
As the 21st edition of the Mawazine festival unfolds, American icon Dee Dee Bridgewater graces Rabat's Royal Theatre. Delivering a repertoire that has defined her nearly six-decade career, she fills the stage with melodies of love and freedom, resonating with universal and human values. With a voice embracing social justice and democracy, she shares her peaceful struggle with Moroccan fans, who have cherished her since the 1960s.
Shaped by her upbringing in Memphis and Michigan during the civil rights era, Bridgewater’s music stands as a beacon of emancipatory jazz, infused with blues and soul. She honors legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, and Billy Taylor’s civil rights anthem «I Wish I Knew». Her commitment to these humanist struggles remains unwavering and relevant.
The three-time Grammy winner first claimed fame with "The Wiz" album in 1976. Her 1998 Grammy for best jazz vocal performance with «Dear Ella» and the 2011 honor for «Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee» cement her stellar legacy.
A champion of both arts and activism, she became a UN FAO goodwill ambassador in 1999, fighting global hunger. As a key figure in UNESCO’s International Jazz Day, she showcases her dedication to music's cultural roots.
Returning to the roots of world music
Dee Dee Bridgewater transforms her Rabat performance into a celebration of diversity and inclusion. Playing in Africa, where jazz’s roots began, marks a profound homecoming, as she tells Yabiladi.
«Whenever I visit Africa, I'm keenly aware of its impact on my music, deeply embedded in jazz and beyond. To me, all music traces back to Africa.»
«I adore Morocco, Rabat, and its cities, and I cherish the warmth of its people. I greatly admire the country's history, music, cuisine, architecture, and craftsmanship, all unique to this land,» she shares. Generations have been moved by her music, standing alongside the giants of jazz, blues, and soul.
With a devoted fan base among younger audiences, Bridgewater is passionate about mentoring, as she explains:
«With all I've learned over my career, it's vital for me to guide others, especially women in jazz. This led to the creation of the Woodshed Network, dedicated to supporting female talent.»
A ripple effect empowered by women
In championing young professionals, Bridgewater affirms the need to empower women, drawing from personal challenges in the music industry.
«Building their self-confidence is crucial, especially within patriarchal societies. I sense this feminine strength in Morocco,» she says, noting an innate connection with Moroccan and African women. «When I'm here, I see myself reflected in them,» she adds.
