Candy Dulfer
Biography Candy Dulfer
Candy Dulfer
Dutch saxophonist Candy Dulfer is all set to resume what she does best: hitting the road with her sensational band to bring her unique ‘funky stuff’ to audiences around the world. She can’t wait to perform live again and introduce her loyal fans to the brand-new songs she’s been working on, and to bring the healing power of music to those in need after the many challenges of 2020 and 2021.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 30 years since Candy Dulfer rose to fame with her high-profile collaborations with Dave Stewart (the worldwide number 1 smash “Lily was here”) and of course the legendary Prince, whose tongue-in-cheek recommendation (“When I want sax, I call Candy”) in the “Partyman” video made the world sit up and notice the young, glamorous and talented sax player at his side. Their collaboration continued over the years with many studio sessions, TV show appearances, award show performances (including the Grammy Awards), and concert tours around the globe, including Candy joining Prince’s NPG band as a permanent member for his record-shattering ‘Musicology’ tour & album.
Candy has been fortunate to work - both in the studio and on stage - with some of the biggest names in music, including Van Morrison, Maceo Parker, Sheila E., Mavis Staples, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Pink Floyd, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and many others.
Despite these high-profile collaborations, Candy mainly focused on her solo career, starting her own band at age 13 and touring the world ever since. Her first solo album ‘Saxuality’ earned her a Grammy Award nomination, the combined world-wide sales of her solo albums top 2.5 million copies, and she has had several number 1 hits in the USA. In between her many concert tours around the globe, she still manages to join Dutch female supergroup the Ladies of Soul for their annual sold-out concerts at the massive Amsterdam Ziggo Dome, is a headline performer on Jazz Cruises in the USA and Europe, and is an ambassador for the Dutch ALS Foundation.
Just like everyone around the world, she had to put all her plans on hold when the pandemic hit in 2020. Being at home for a prolonged period of time - which she hardly ever experienced in her 35+ years of touring the globe - allowed her the time to explore new creative grounds. Candy has always been great about reinventing herself and wasn’t going to allow herself to be sidetracked despite these times being terrible for so many. “People need music, period. If I can’t bring it to them in the ways we are used to, we’ll find new ways to entertain and bring solace and love to everyone. That is what I was born to do, and what I will continue to do.”
She started the Music in my Kitchen Challenge, performing online from her home, including a unique virtual reunion with Dave Stewart to perform the classic track that started it all: “Lily was here”. She also initiated Club Dauphine TV, a weekly online TV show with well-known covers played by Candy with famous Dutch guest stars, that was very well-received all over the world. She signed a new record deal with Mascot Label Group and is currently working on a new album (including a track with Nile Rodgers from Chic fame), scheduled for release in 2022. Searching for ways to entertain the smaller audiences in between lockdowns - of course in corona-proof settings - Candy quickly rolled out a sold-out theater tour in her native country The Netherlands, called “Sax, Candy & Rock-’n-Roll”. A mix of live music, intimate storytelling and stand-up comedy, all based on her amazing adventures with some of her mentors and music’s biggest stars. With her full band she performed several unique online streaming events. On top of that, she’s the host and producer of a weekly 2-hour primetime radio show on Sublime FM.
Candy is currently touring with her sensational new band and incredible new music. Keep checking her website and Candy’s social media for the latest updates regarding her upcoming touring schedule and release date of her new album We Never Stop.
