A Narrative of My Experience of Attending the Dee Dee Bridgewater Concert

Despite living in Memphis for more than ten years, I had never been to a concert at the Levitt Shell. So, I was excited to attend the Dee Dee Bridgewater event as part of the Rhodes Night at the Levitt Shell series. When I arrived, I noticed that parking was already scarce, and the lawn was packed with people. It was surprising to see such a large crowd at a jazz concert, but it was heartening to know that there was a significant turnout.

The sheer size of the audience not only reassured me but also heightened my anticipation for the music. Since the Levitt Shell is an open-air amphitheater, there were no seats. While some attendees had brought lawn chairs, most of them were sitting on blankets. The environment was casual, but the event was expertly executed. The atmosphere was comfortable and family-friendly. There were several food trucks, and screens on either side of the amphitheater provided a great view of the stage once the music began.

As for the audience, from my vantage point on the outskirts of the lawn, it appeared that the majority were of Caucasian descent. Although there were some African Americans in attendance, they seemed to be in the minority. It's possible that the event's connection to Rhodes College and occurring during parents' weekend contributed to this demographic composition. I noticed a few students carrying backpacks, and there were many young adults in attendance.

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Additionally, there were several young children present, adding to the family-friendly atmosphere. During one part of the performance, Dee Dee Bridgewater briefly left the stage and interacted with some of the kids in the uncovered area in front of the amphitheater. She even held someone's dog and danced with the children, much to their delight. This playful moment emphasized the inclusive nature of the event, welcoming people of all ages. The weather was pleasant, and the aroma of fresh grass and food filled the air.

Dee Dee Bridgewater, the star of the Rhodes Night at the Levitt Shell concert series, surprised the audience with her latest album release, "Memphis, Yes I'm Ready," which had a strong Memphis influence. She shared personal anecdotes about her father's work as a DJ on one of the top radio stations in Memphis and expressed her love for the city.

Her charismatic personality was evident as she animatedly performed her jazz songs, interacting with the guitarist and occasionally slapping her thigh to keep the beat. Her vocalizations were also noteworthy, with one song featuring a unique yodeling-like sound. Other instruments included the trumpet, drums, cymbals, electric piano, and guitar.

Dee Dee engaged with the audience throughout the night, frequently introducing each song and sharing stories about the artists who inspired her. She even paid tribute to the Little Rock 9, the Staples Singers, and Martin Luther King Jr. The backup singers briefly took the stage while Dee Dee took a break, but she remained the focal point of the performance.

The audience was also treated to her rendition of "Yes, I'm Ready" by Barbara Mason, and she surprised them with a performance of Booker T. and the MG's "Chicken Pox." Overall, Dee Dee's concert was a fantastic blend of jazz, storytelling, and Memphis culture.

As I listened to Dee Dee Bridgewater's concert at the Levitt Shell, several lyrics caught my attention: "Giving up is so hard to do," "I'm ready to fall in love with you," and "Why am I treated so bad?" These lyrics reminded me of the blues and jazz songs we discussed in class, such as "I'm a Bad Luck Woman."

Throughout the concert, some members of the audience clapped along, particularly a group of African American women sitting in the front row. Whenever Dee Dee spoke, people responded with sporadic applause, both before and after she introduced her songs. The atmosphere was relaxed, with everyone sitting and listening, and there were few distractions or interruptions.

I had the pleasure of speaking with a young couple sitting next to me, who had brought their two children, like many other parents attending the concert, for a fun and family-oriented Saturday night. Their six-year-old daughter was enjoying the music and enthusiastically responded with "It's awesome!!" when I asked her how she liked the performance.

Dee Dee Bridgewater's concert seemed to focus on celebrating her roots and the city of Memphis. She introduced her concert with a tribute to her homecoming to Memphis and continued to celebrate African American music and history throughout the evening.

She sang songs by fellow African American artists, such as Barbara Mason's "Yes, I'm Ready," and honored civil rights events like the Little Rock Nine and Martin Luther King Jr. Overall, Dee Dee Bridgewater's concert was a wonderful showcase of jazz music and its celebration of Memphis and African American history in the United States.

Reference

1. "Dee Dee Bridgewater Releases New Album 'Memphis///Yes, I'm Ready,' 9/15." Broadway World, Sept. 2017, https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Dee-Dee-Bridgewater-Releases-New- Album-Memphis Yes-Im-Ready-915-20170907.

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