Bridgewater was born in Urbana (Illinois) and attended the University of Illinois. In 1969, he and his brother Ron founded the Bridgewater Brothers Band. Dee Dee Bridgewater was his wife. He played with Horace Silver in 1970, then with Thad Jones and Mel Lewis between 1970 and 1976. He also played with Max Roach in the 1970s, beginning a long association. He has also played with Dizzy Giillespie, Art Blakey and Randy Weston. In 1993, Bridgewater released his first album as a leader. Bridgewater also composed works that were premiered by the Cleveland Chamber Orchestra as well as Meet the Composer. Cecil Bridgewater is a strong supporter of The Jazz Foundation of America, which works to save the homes of America’s senior jazz and blues musicians, including those who survived Hurricane Katrina. Cecil performed at “A Great Night in Harlem”, the 2008 Benefit Concert at the World Famous Apollo Theater. He currently teaches adjunct faculty at Manhattan School of Music and William Paterson University. From Wikipedia
