Cecil Bridgewater

Biography

Bridgewater was born in Urbana, Illinois and studied at the University of Illinois. He and brother Ron formed the Bridgewater Brothers Band in 1969, and in the 1970s he was married to Dee Dee Bridgewater. In 1970, he played with Horace Silver, and following this with Thad Jones and Mel Lewis from 1970 to 1976. Also in the 1970s, he played with Max Roach, starting a decades-long association. Elsewhere he has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Randy Weston, Charles McPherson, Joe Henderson, Roy Brooks, Abdullah Ibrahim and Sam Rivers. Bridgewater's first disc as a leader appeared in 1993. Bridgewater has also composed works premiered by the Cleveland Chamber Orchestra and Meet the Composer.

Cecil Bridgewater has become a great supporter of The Jazz Foundation of America in their mission to save the homes and the lives of America's elderly jazz and blues musicians including musicians that survived Hurricane Katrina. Cecil performed at the 2008 Benefit Concert, "A Great Night in Harlem" at the Apollo Theater.

He currently teaches as adjunct faculty at Manhattan School of Music, New School, William Paterson University, and The Juilliard School.

Discography

As leader

I Love Your Smile (Blue Moon, 1992)

Mean What You Say (Brownstone, 1997)

As sideman

With Muhal Richard Abrams

The Hearinga Suite (Black Saint, 1989)

With Anthony Braxton

Creative Orchestra Music 1976 (Arista, 1976)

With Jon Faddis and Billy Harper

Jon & Billy (Trio, 1974)

With Frank Foster

The Loud Minority (Mainstream, 1972)

With O'Donel Levy

Dawn of a New Day (Groove Merchant, 1973)

Simba (Groove Merchant, 1974)

With Mel Lewis

Mel Lewis and Friends (A&M/Horizon, 1977)

With Charles McPherson

Today's Man (Mainstream, 1973)

With Jimmy Owens

Headin' Home (A&M/Horizon, 1978)

With Houston Person

Houston Express (Prestige, 1970)

The Talk of the Town (Muse, 1987)

With Max Roach

Lift Every Voice and Sing (Atlantic, 1971)

Pictures in a Frame (Soul Note, 1979)