Biography
Who is Candy Dulfer?
Early life and musical start
Born in Amsterdam on September 19, 1969, Candy Dulfer grew up surrounded by music. She is the daughter of the jazz saxophonist Hans Dulfer. Her musical path began at age five with the drums. By age six, she transitioned to the soprano saxophone, followed by the alto saxophone at seven. She gained early ensemble experience playing with a local group called Jeugd Doet Leven based in Zuiderwoude.
As a young performer, she made her stage debut with her father's band, De Perikels. She participated in her first recordings for the album I Didn't Ask in 1981. By age 12, she performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival as part of Rosa King's Ladies Horn section. This experience helped shape her ambition to become a band leader, and she founded her own group, Funky Stuff, when she was 14.
Career breakthrough and collaborations
Candy Dulfer gained significant attention in 1987 when her band served as the opening act for Madonna's European tour. Her debut album, Saxuality, arrived in 1990 and earned a Grammy nomination. During this period, she worked with prominent artists such as Dave Stewart on the song Lily Was Here. She also contributed to live performances with Pink Floyd at Knebworth in 1990 and collaborated with Van Morrison on his live album A Night in San Francisco.
Her professional relationship with Prince became a defining feature of her career. She performed an improvised solo during his European show in 1988 and appeared in his music video for Partyman in 1989. She later joined his band for the Musicology Live 2004ever tour. Over the years, she has also shared the stage with musicians including Angie Stone, Maceo Parker, Rick Braun, and Alan Parsons.
Television work and later albums
Beyond her music, Candy has worked extensively in Dutch television. In 2007, she began hosting and interviewing other musicians for her program Candy Meets... On the public broadcaster NPS. Guests on the show included Sheila E., Mavis Staples, and her father, Hans Dulfer. She further expanded her television presence in 2013 by serving as a judge during the fifth season of the Dutch X Factor.
Her recording career has continued well into the 2000s and beyond. She released the album Candy Store in 2007, which reached the second spot on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz charts. In 2022, she released the album We Never Stop, her first project under a record deal with the Mascot Label Group. The record was introduced by the single Jammin' Tonight, which features Nile Rodgers.
Birthday and age
Candy Dulfer was born on September 19, 1969, which makes Candy 57 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Candy shares the date with 70 other famous people.
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