I met André Ménard at the first Montreal International Jazz Festival I was invited to in 1993. At the time I was living in Paris, France and for me this was a huge deal. I remember André’s smiling face alongside co-founder Alain Simard (Denise McCann is the third founding member). They were both very welcoming, very warm. I was very proud of the fact that I could speak French with André, it was the beginning of a lovely friendship. I made 12 appearances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the last being in 2018, and André came to see me on all but 3 occasions.
It is indeed an honor to receive recognition from our jazz radio beacon WBGO, an NPR affiliate, alongside André Ménard. André’s passion for jazz goes without saying. That he dedicated 40 years to the Montreal International Jazz Festival speaks volumes about that love, that passion. That André always made himself available to artists during the festival, the biggest in the world and my personal favorite, always touched me. That he and Alain cared enough about me that they invited me for consecutive years to the Festival was also special. The fact that I received the Ella Fitzgerald Award in 2000, that my Eleanora Fagan: To Billie With Love Grammy Award (2011) dress adorned their museum, and that André personally flew to Paris to see me as the first Black actress to portray ‘Sally Bowles’ in a French version of Cabaret (the musical) in 1996 says a lot about his respect for my artistry. There are many stories I could share but I think you get the gist.
I hold a very special place in my heart for André Ménard. He did much to help solidify my career again in the United States and jumpstarted my career in Canada.
André has a heart of gold, and anyone who has ever visited the Montreal International Jazz Festival has felt his fairy dust. André I laud you for your amazing career and accomplishments. I am proud to be your friend, to help celebrate your achievements, and thrilled to share the spotlight with you. My warmest and sincerest congratulations.
Your Friend Forever,
Dee Dee Bridgewater
