On International Jazz Day (April 30) I was front and center at the National Museum of Women in the Arts for a panel discussion highlighting women’s contributions to jazz. That same evening, I also happened on the broadcast of Jazz at the White House featuring a broad selection of musicians and vocalists that made me wish I had been invited as only an hour was devoted to an extraordinary event that deserved more airtime.
As I immersed myself in the exchange both at the Museum and on the screen, one artist in particular captured my attention. Dee Dee Bridgewater, a small yet powerful presence who describes her voice as her instrument, has been singing to me in English and French since I was in college. Her story is one I did not know, her frank delivery of it was eye opening, inspirational and endearing. It was no wonder that I found my way to her when the symposium was over; she was warm, gracious, and sparkling in many ways. I watched her perform before the audience on the White House lawn with a tremendous amount of admiration and respect knowing what she did NOT do on her journey to that stage; a tiny woman who said no to bartering her body in exchange for career advancement in a tough arena, losing profitable opportunities because of her stance yet still rising to the top is a testament to belief in self, understanding your gifts and trusting that living your truth will lead you to the stage you were born to stand on. 
Nothing but you can keep you from that place, so keep the faith and…
keep your peepers open!®
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