Candy Dulfer Biography
Although she was marketed as a potential pop star when she first hit the U.S. market in 1990, Dutch alto saxophonist Candy Dulfer already possessed an impressive musical resume that belied the slick visuals with which the young musician was first presented to the American public.
The daughter of respected Dutch saxophonist Hans Dulfer, Candy grew up in a musical home, and developed an early affinity for the work of such revered American sax men as Dexter Gordon, Coleman Hawkins and Sonny Rollins. She began playing professionally at the age of 12, and by 15 was leading her own band, Funky Stuff, which was enlisted to back Madonna on a European tour. Dulfer gained significant exposure in the U.S. and Britain after she played on Prince’s “Partyman,” and she achieved a Top Ten hit in Britain (and a Number One in her home country) after collaborating with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics on “Lily Was Here.” Dulfer further enhanced her resume by working in a supporting role with the like of Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison and Pink Floyd.
Her high-profile guest appearances set the stage for the release of Dulfer’s debut album Saxuality, which combined the artist’s funky playing with a commercially savvy R&B-pop sound. The album found acceptance in the emerging smooth-jazz radio format, winning Dulfer a domestic audience that’s stuck with her for the several albums she’s released in the years since.
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