Dee Dee Bridgewater, real name Denise Eileen Garret born in Memphis, Tennessee, is an American jazz, rhythm & blues singer and has been recording more than 20 high class soul and r&b albums since 1974. She worked with many of the leading jazz musicians, like Chick Corea, Lenny White, Stanley Clarke and is a three-time Grammy Award-winning-singer-songwriter.

Memphis,…Yes I’m Ready is, in her own words; “the going-home project” where she sings the classic r&b songs and honors her Memphis’ born soul. The opening title-track “Yes I’m Ready” was written by Barbara Mason and covered by numerous artists, “Giving Up” was written by legendary soul artist Van McCoy, the hit-single “I Can’t Stand The Rain” was co-written by, and a smash-hit for Ann Peebles. Additionally there are more familiar songs; “Don’t Be Cruel” written by Otis Blackwell, Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog”, B. B King’s “The Thrill Is Gone” and all of the remaining tracks are fine examples of vintage “Soulsville” standards.

This brand-new album was produced at Royal Studios, the Memphis studio where producer Willie Mitchell cut a string of hits with Al Green, Rod Stewart, Keith Richards, Boz Scaggs and even Mark Ronson’s (featuring Bruno Mars) “Uptown Funk” was recorded at the same facility. Willie’s son Lawrence co-produced the sessions along with Dee Dee and her daughter Tulani Bridgewater.