Her husband, Cecil Bridgewater, from whom she is separated, was the trumpet player in the group. They came to New York in 1970 and he joined the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis band, which. Dee Dee Bridgewater was the first American inducted into the Haut Conseil de la Francophonie. She was awarded the French Award of Arts and Letters. Dee Dee Bridgewater has three. During her first years in college she began singing with big bands, which lead to her work with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Band. At this time, she met and married trumpeter/composer Cecil.
During her first years in college she began singing with big bands, which lead to her work with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Band. At this time, she met and married trumpeter/composer Cecil.