Photo of the Day: November 27, 2009
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Car Pushed Into Anacostia River By Train
Devendra Banhart @ 9:30 Club
"It was time for me to embrace my African heritage."
This was jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater's state of mind when she decided to trace her lineage in hopes of finding her native roots. Unfortunately, Bridgewater (pictured right), who is performing on Sunday at the Kennedy Center, could only trace them back 150 years, to Mississippi. She then began listening to a variety of West African music, and it was Mali's music that struck the deepest chord. This, in turn, led to a visit to Mali in 2004, where she says she had several profound personal experiences.
"An elderly man approached me and hugged me at the airport," she recounted. "He kept telling me, in his native language, that I was his long lost niece."
Bridgewater also felt a strong connection to the land itself because it was reminiscent of her native Memphis. "I was at the hotel. I opened the windows and saw rich red earth and the Niger River flowing right in front of me. I knew I was home."
These experiences, along with local jam sessions, led to the decision to record an album that would be a collaboration between Bridgewater, her band, and traditional Malian musicians. The result of this collaboration is Red Earth: A Malian Journey, which was recorded in Mali in 2006. The recording features over 40 Malian musicians, and seven of them will be joining Bridgewater's own trio for Sunday's concert.
Image from Dee Dee Bridgewater's website
Among Bridgewater's collaborators are Cheick Tidiane Seck, who co-produced the album and was Bridgewater's guide in her musical exploration, and singer/political activist Oumou Sangare, who is one of Mali's most vocal supporters of women's rights.
"You would be so impressed by these people," Bridgewater said, praising her fellow musicians. "They have a dignity and serenity in their music."
As for the material itself, Bridgewater wanted to avoid co-opting the creative process by having the Malian musicians play jazz. "If I’m going to do a meeting, it has to be a real meeting," she emphasized. "I decided I would do this album based on a meeting between my traditional music, jazz, and traditional Malian music with traditional Malian instruments."
Most of the album's material is based on Mali's traditional griot music. Bridgewater, who does not read music herself, believes the reason for her being drawn to this traditional form is that it belongs to an oral heritage where songs are learned by ear and passed from one generation to the next. Thus, Red Earth is not Malian jazz, it is traditional Malian music that is infused with jazz stylings provided by Bridgewater and her trio.
If Bridgewater's enthusiasm gives any indication, Sunday's concert should be quite special. "We have a lovefest on stage. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had and it’s the most amazing musical experience I’ve ever had. I feel whole."
Dee Dee Bridgewater's performance takes place this Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are available here. $20-$45.
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