Words of Wisdom
"The ability to perform in big bands as well as small groups and write for all sizes of groups is an important ingredient in being able to sustain yourself as a musician."
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"Writing, teaching and performing are necessary to be a complete musician and to be able to have a career in music. Putting all your eggs in one basket (i.e. performer or writer or teacher), is no longer the option that it once was."
Background...
Bridgewater’s journey began with the musical training he received from his parents in his home state of Illinois. His father, Cecil Bernard Bridgewater, a fellow trumpet player, ignited a passion for the instrument within him. He also performed with and composed for his high school Dance Band and cut his teeth during weekend gigs with bandleader/uncle Pete Bridgewater. Following his studies at the University of Illinois, Cecil pursued further education and professional opportunities in Chicago.
After a two-year military service, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, he embarked on a tour with the University of Illinois Jazz Band in Eastern Europe and Russia. Their performances took them to prestigious jazz festivals like the Newport Jazz Festival and the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, where Cecil received accolades for his exceptional performances, overall musicianship, and contributions to both small and large bands.
Collaborations...
In 1970, Bridgewater relocated to New York City, where he established himself as an internationally acclaimed artist. His recognition continued to grow after joining the Horace Silver Quintet and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and the Max Roach Quartet and Double Quartet, serving as a soloist, writer, arranger, and musical consultant.
He has collaborated with renowned luminaries, such as the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, Lena Horne, Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Heath, Sir Roland Hannah, and Clark Terry, among others to further solidify his exemplary reputation.
Cecil’s compositions and arrangements have been recorded by stellar artists such as Lena Horne, Dee Dee Bridgewater (“This Is New,” “Dear Ella”), Vanessa Rubin, the Uptown String Quartet, and the legendary Count Basie Orchestra.
Bridgewater has also collaborated with renowned artists such as Carmen McRae and Antonio Hart on their respective releases. Additionally, he has been involved in producing albums for the esteemed Uptown String Quartet, including “Max Roach Presents the Uptown String Quartet,” “Just Wait A Minute,” “Michael Carvin, Cecil Bridgewater” and “African Sunrise.”
Commissions...
Cecil has received commissions from prestigious organizations like the Cleveland Chamber Symphony (“New Dawn”), the Atlanta Arts Festival ("Waltz for Duke Pearson”), Jazzmobile, and the University of Illinois.
His notable work, the “Cannonball Adderley Suite,” premiered in February 1994 in Long Beach, California, and was later performed in March 1996 in Washington, D.C. He is also a recipient of the Meet The Composer Grant.
Presenter...
Bridgewater served as the Musical Director for the captivating “Jazz Threads” series at the University of Illinois. This event encompassed a diverse range of performances, lectures, and demonstrations held across the Champaign/Urbana, Illinois area.
The series featured legendary jazz artists such as Clark Terry, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Davis, Mulgrew Miller, Carl Allen, and Ron Bridgewater. Bridgewater’s exceptional talent allowed him to compose and arrange music that catered to various ensemble sizes, ranging from quintets to symphonic orchestras and jazz bands.
He also served as Musical Director for Vanessa Rubin’s presentations at the world-renowned Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
Educator...
Off-stage, Cecil has continued his career as an educator, sharing his experience and expertise at prestigious institutions like the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, William Patterson University, Queens College, and Jazzmobile.
Cecil has received invitations to teach at the renowned Veneto Jazz Festival in Veneto, Italy and served as the Artist-in-Residence at the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp in New Orleans, LA.
Detroit Free Press
“Cecil Bridgewater is an important trumpet player of his generation who’s had a major career in jazz.”
Theatermania
"Cecil Bridgewater’s arrangement is a burbling soundscape, alive with light drums and jingling things. I could listen to this track over and over again."
Los Angeles Times
Bridgewater, employing a crackling sound, was superb throughout, delivering snappy lines that were imbued with a tuneful lyricism.