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Dee Dee Bridgewater

Grammy & Tony Award-winning NEA Jazz Master, Dee Dee Bridgewater, is truly a living legend. Her always soulful & spirited work spans the worlds of jazz, R&B and musical theater. Bridgewater has performed with all manner of jazz giants from Thad Jones/Mel Lewis to Sonny Rollins; Dizzy Gillespie to Christian McBride.

Bridgewater pursued a parallel career in musical theater, winning a Tony Award for The Wiz in 1975. Her other credits include: Sophisticated Ladies; Cabaret; and Lady Day, which earned her a Laurence Olivier Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.

In the 90’s, Bridgewater released a number of stellar jazz recordings including her double Grammy Award-winning tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Dear Ella. As a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dee Dee continues to appeal for international solidarity in the fight against world hunger. Bridgewater is currently on tour in support of her latest CD, Memphis.

André Ménard

André Ménard is among the most influential figures in the Quebec artistic community, having greatly contributed to the cultural life of Montreal. Working in the domain of live show/concert production since 1975, he founded L’Équipe Spectra with Alain Simard almost 40 years ago and remains VP of the company. He is also the co-founder of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and oversaw the workings of Montréal venues Le Spectrum & Métropolis (MTELUS) for 25 years as VP & Managing Director of concert halls.

Menard’s many honors & awards include: Events Producer of the Year, Jazz Journalist Association (2002); the very first Hall of Fame Award, National Jazz Awards Canada (2004); Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame (2016); Honorary Doctorate L’ Universite de Montreal (2017). Driven by his insatiable cultural curiosity, André Ménard travels to more than 300 artistic events throughout the world, every year.