The Village Voice calls vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, "the most capable jazz singer of her generation." Yet even from such a high perch within the entertainment world, Bridgewater nonetheless holds a surprising and special kinship with a small-college ensemble from Illinois: the Elmhurst College Jazz Band.
Bridgewater (who has recorded 15 albums and also earned a Tony award for her Broadway role in The Wiz) has performed with the Elmhurst undergrads on three occasions. And she loves them. Their sound, their professionalism, and their longtime director Doug Beach have raised her eyebrows and won a special place in her heart.
After their second show together, Dee Dee was so impressed that she invited all 30 members of the Elmhurst group to join her later that summer on stage at the venerable Chicago Jazz Festival. On that occasion, she -- and they -- performed before tens of thousands in Chicago's Grant Park as the 2001 Festival's headline act.
"These are my BABIES," Bridgewater laughed delightedly as she introduced the College Jazz Band to the vast Chicago jazz audience. "We are officially engaged!"
Bridgewater and the Elmhurst Jazz Band will perform together again this month, at the College's annual Summer Extravaganza, a free outdoor concert set for Sunday, June 22. The music will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the Elmhurst College Mall, 190 Prospect Avenue. Rain site will be the nearby Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel Auditorium.
For further information, or for specific directions (the campus is located 16 miles west of downtown Chicago), visit http://www.elmhurst.edu, or phone (630) 617-3033.
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