Vocal jazz artist to give tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

Jazz isn't just about sax.

Vocal jazz artist Dee Dee Bridgewater will perform a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with the Dee Dee Bridgewater Trio at 8 p.m. today in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Bridgewater won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Wiz in the mid-70s.

In the '80s, Bridgewater moved to Paris, where she has found success in music and television.

Her reputation spread beyond Europe when Bridgewater released an album, Keeping Tradition, in 1992.

Since then she's performed at many international jazz festivals.

Sharing the stage with her tonight will be the Bridgewater Trio, including piano and organ player Thierry Eliez, bassist Thomas Bramiere and drummer Ali Jackson Jr.

The group will perform songs made famous by Fitzgerald, a vocal jazz legend, with Bridgewater's own stylistic touch.

Tickets still are available for purchase at Eisenhower Auditorium and are $25 for adults, $21 for students and $15 for children 12 and under. For tickets or information, call 863-0255.

--by Melissa Dugan