French Jazz Festival Debuts In Miami
MIAMI (AP) — The annual Nice (pronounced "neese") Jazz Festival on the French Riviera made its U.S. debut in Miami with controversy.
The Miami Herald reports that singer Dee Dee Bridgewater took the stage Friday night during the opening of the two-day Miami Nice Jazz Festival to announce that she wasn't performing because organizers had not paid her.
A festival official called Bridgewater's refusal an "unfortunate incident with an artist who is known to be difficult."
Organizers say anyone with tickets to Bridgewater's performance could exchange their tickets for another show or receive a refund.
Among the other musicians scheduled to perform is Eddie Palmieri. The U.S. National Endowment for the Arts recently announced that the pianist will receive one of its 2013 Jazz Masters Awards. That's the nation's highest honor in jazz.
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