A regular performer circa the 1940s in Washington's legendary U Street corridor of jazz clubs and show rooms, saxophonist, clarinetist, and local favorite Buck Hill has played and recorded with the likes of Sonny Stitt, Shirley Horn, Miles Davis, and Cannonball Adderly. JazzTimes calls him "a veritable phenomenon whose robust and swinging approach is absolutely irrepressible," while the Washington Post says he "turns in one supremely confident performance after another." In the KC Jazz Club, Hill is joined by bassist James King, drummer Lenny Robinson, and pianist Jon Ozment.

While well-grounded in the tradition of jazz greatness, saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist Davey Yarborough represents a new generation of jazz innovators. The native Washingtonian has been a frequent performer on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, and his saxophone was featured in the theme song for The Cosby Show. He is also the recipient of a D.C. Mayor's Arts Award for his many local contributions, including his educational leadership at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Alongside his wife and frequent collaborator Esther Williams--a diverse vocalist with an extensive repertoire in jazz, R&B, pop, spiritual, and gospel--Yarborough teams up with his quartet featuring bassist Wes Biles, drummer Francis Thompson, and pianist Jon Ozment.

Bassist and singer-songwriter Jay Leonhart is "the Fred Astaire of jazz--a craftsman so seamlessly smooth" (JazzTimes). One of Baltimore's native sons, he has worked in virtually every musical genre, collaborating with the likes of Tony Bennett and Marian McPartland to James Taylor, Ozzy Osbourne, and Queen Latifah.

Vocalist Roseanna Vitro has been praised by the Los Angeles Times as "one of the most gifted singers" and "a first-rate improviser determined to use her voice with the same musical breath and density with which instrumentalists use their horns." Channeling her soulful Southern roots to produce a vibrant style all her own, she has wowed Kennedy Center audiences as a 2004 Kennedy Center–U.S. State Department Jazz Ambassador at the 1999 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival.

Hosted by Herbie Hancock and Billy Dee Williams 
With a tribute to George Benson 

Special Guests Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wayne Shorter, and Jimmy Heath 
Artistic Director Bob James 
Judges: Bill Frisell, Stanley Jordan, Earl Klugh, Russell Malone, Pat Martino, and John Pizzarelli

This year's competition will feature several of the world's most talented emerging jazz guitarists, who will be competing for scholarships and prizes. After a round of semifinals, the final competition will be held in the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater. The event will also feature performances by some of the most prominent artists in jazz.

On the strength of his poll-topping CDs--including his most recent recording Flow--and award-winning Hollywood film scores for Spike Lee, multiple Grammy(r)-nominated trumpeter Terence Blanchard has emerged as one of the most important jazz musicians, composers, and bandleaders of his generation. His emotionally moving and technically refined playing is considered by many aficionados to recall earlier trumpet styles, from Freddie Hubbard to Miles Davis. People Magazine says, "Blanchard's virtues spring from his sense of restraint. The joy is in the tease!"

Nine-time Grammy(r) Winner

One of the most accomplished artists of his time, nine-time Grammy(r) winner Wynton Marsalis has played a key role in propelling jazz to the forefront of American culture through his virtuosic gifts and extraordinary vision. The jazz trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and classical performer has been hailed by Time Magazine as one of "America's 25 Most Influential People"--and in 1997, he became the first-ever jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize. Marsalis "continues to define great music-making" (The San Francisco Examiner) in this rare concert featuring an intimate setting with a small ensemble. 

A co-presentation of Washington Performing Arts Society and the Kennedy Center

WYNTON MARSALIS, trumpet
WALTER BLANDING, saxophone
CARLOS HENRIQUEZ, bass
ALI JACKSON, drums
DAN NIMMER, piano
JENNIFER SANON, vocals

Part of the new Discovery Series in the KC Jazz Club

A rising star from the New England Conservatory of Music, Rachael Price won Honorable Mention at the 2003 Montreux International Jazz Vocal Competition in France and boasts Kennedy Center favorite Nnenna Freelon as one of her biggest fans and mentors. She recently recorded her first album, Dedicated to You, a compendium of standards from the heyday of "girl jazz singers" like Doris Day and Anita O'Day. MGM musical legend Kathryn Grayson says Price is "the best young voice I've heard, period. No one around can even touch her. She's got a style all her own."

Generations

The New York Times calls saxophonist, bandleader, and songwriter Steve Wilson "among the best New York jazz has to offer." After making a splash in the KC Jazz Club in May 2005, he returns with his quartet the Generations Band, featuring pianist Billy Childs, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Ben Riley. "This young dude is clearly blessed with an abundance of natural ability," says All About Jazz. His music "bridges the generation gap and offers arrangements of substance that will last for an eternity."

The "Hot Club Swing" of gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt caused a sensation in Paris and Europe in the '20s and '30s--and it's just as popular today. In 2004, this vigorous celebration played to sold-out audiences at the Kennedy Center, prompting the Washington Post to call the performances "sweet and lowdown, swinging and sizzling hot." This year's line-up includes a French ensemble featuring guitarists Dorado Schmitt and Samson Schmitt, swing accordionist Ludovic Beier, and violinist Pierre Blanchard, plus American saxophonist Joel Frahm.

Raised in Memphis and now a fixture on the New York jazz scene, young singer, songwriter, and guitarist Doug Wamble has recorded and performed with Wynton Marsalis and Cassandra Wilson, among others. On his latest CD Country Libations, he draws inspiration from his enduring love of delta blues and from such influences as Ornette Coleman and Robert Johnson. The Toronto Star calls the recording "an effortless synthesis of country music, gospel, blues, and bebop jazz with [Wamble's] soulful, throaty tenor front and center."

With a style that ranges from rigorous to romantic, Bill Charlap "has absorbed every pianist worth listening to in the past 50 years" (The New Yorker). A favorite accompanist for Tony Bennett and other vocalists, he has proven himself a "super-fine improviser, giving himself over to his instrument as if it were dictating to him" (The New York Times). Charlap's elegant lyric sensibility can be heard on more than 50 recordings--including Stardust, a tribute to the songs of Hoagy Carmichael; Somewhere, featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein; and his most recent CD The American Soul, a salute to George Gershwin.

Singer Mary Stallings enchants audiences around the world with her divine musicality, elegant stage presence, and a voice that is "supple and timeless, encompassing the whole history of music" (The San Francisco Chronicle). Her more than 40 years of experience--from her start with the bands of Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie to the undiluted passion of her solo recordings--shine through with every note. The New York Times says she's "perhaps the best jazz singer alive today."

As "the jazzman who almost single-handedly revived the jazz organ in the 1980s" (The Toronto Star), Grammy(r) nominee Joey DeFrancesco brings a unique, blistering style to bop, funk, soul, and blues on the Hammond B-3. A performer as a teenager with Miles Davis, the wunderkind-turned-master of the instrument jams with the late organ legend Jimmy Smith on his latest CD Legacy, in which "sparks fly [with] the two top players of the [B-3] console" (Billboard Magazine).

Vocalist Bill Henderson returns to the Kennedy Center for a special engagement to release his newest CD, recorded live at the Kennedy Center last season. TheWashington Post says Henderson has a "songbook still brimming with delights" sung by a voice that "radiates warmth, personality, and soul."

(Bill Henderson replaces Curtis Stigers, who was previously scheduled for this date in the KC Jazz Club, but was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.)

Part of the new Discovery Series in the KC Jazz Club

Just 18 years old at the beginning of 2005, jazz pianist Eldar "is truly a virtuosic musical prodigy" (The Los Angeles Times). Originally from Kyrgyzstan, he has already performed at the 2000 Grammy Awards(r) telecast, released a self-titled CD for Sony Classical, taken top prize in several international competitions, and caught the eye of numerous jazz legends, among them Dr. Billy Taylor and Marian McPartland. 

Eldar returns to the Kennedy Center after performing for Dr. Billy Taylor's 80th birthday celebration in 2002. Down Beat Magazine raves, "When he's not knocking you out with his sheer keyboard speed, Eldar seduces and surprises with complex rhythmic and stylistic changes."

featuring Larry Coryell, Badi Assad, and John Abercrombie

Combine three guitar masters, each with a lifetime of impressive musical experiences, and you have the ideal ingredients for an eclectic, original trio known as Three Guitars. The group is comprised of Larry Coryell, from the famed '70s fusion group The Eleventh House; Brazil's Badi Assad, whose innovative sound includes mouth and body percussive techniques; and John Abercrombie, one of the most influential guitarists of the last 25 years. Down Beat Magazine gave their debut CD four stars, praising the trio's "graceful flights of acoustic virtuosity." 

Billie & Me
featuring: Rita Coolidge, Niki Haris, Joan Osborne, Dianne Reeves, Rokia Traoré
Musical Direction by Terri Lyne Carrington

A phenomenal line-up of female jazz stars embarks upon the first U.S. tour of this "tour de force" (London's The Guardian ) concert event, which celebrates the 90th year of Billie Holiday's birth. Combining thrilling re-interpretations of Lady Day's repertoire with film, audio, photographs, and readings, Billie and Me offers a fascinating portrait of the legendary songstress and the influence she has had over subsequent generations. Joining the tribute will be two-time Grammy(r)-winning vocalist Rita Coolidge, singer Niki Haris, multiple Grammy(r) nominated singer Joan Osborne, three-time Grammy(r)-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves, and Malian vocalist Rokia Traoré, with musical direction by Grammy(r)-nominated drummer Terri Lyne Carrington.

Join the Kennedy Center and National Public Radio when some of today's top jazz pianists come together with a stellar lineup of other jazz artists to perform their favorite holiday songs. An annual NPR tradition, the concert will be produced for broadcast later in the month. 

Singer/pianist Marcia Ball knows how to raise roofs and tear down walls with her infectious, intelligent, and deeply emotional brand of southern boogie, rollicking, roadhouse blues and heartfelt ballads. 

Pianist Hilton Ruiz, who last appeared at the Kennedy Center as part of the Art Tatum Piano Panorama in January 2003, is the self-proclaimed "original bebop Latin pianist."  

A Kennedy Center favorite, vibist Dave Samuels plays in a special duo performance with percussionist Pete Escovedo, a major force in Latin music since the late 1960s.

Just added: a special appearance by pianist and Kennedy Center Advisor for Jazz Dr. Billy Taylor.

An NEA Jazz Masters on Tour Event
Hosted by Danny Glover
Featuring NEA Jazz Masters James Moody, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, and Paquito D'Rivera
Special Guest Roy Hargrove
With the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band™, Musical Director Slide Hampton, including bandmembers Randy Brecker, Antonio Hart, Claudio Roditi, Mulgrew Miller, and others
For nearly 60 years, James Moody has been a jazz institution, whether showcasing his improvisational genius on the saxophone or flute, or singing through his signature hit, "Moody's Mood for Love." In 1946, the NEA Jazz Master joined Dizzy Gillespie's seminal big band, forming lifelong friendships with the bandleader and his orchestra mates. As part of the first NEA Jazz Masters on Tour event at the Kennedy Center, Moody is joined by host Danny Glover and an all-star ensemble of Dizzy alumni featuring three other NEA Jazz Masters--Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, and Paquito D'Rivera--for a concert bash heralding their colleague's 80th birthday.  

An NEA Jazz Masters on Tour Event

Lionel Hampton Orchestra featuring Jon Hendricks
Join Grammy(r) winner and NEA Jazz Master Jon Hendricks as he rings in 2006 with the world-famous Lionel Hampton Orchestra! A highly influential jazz vocalist, Hendricks is widely acclaimed as the "Father of Vocalese," the art of setting lyrics to jazz orchestral works. Currently under the direction of Cleve Guyten on saxophone and flute, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra has wowed audiences with its exuberant sound for more than 60 years. 

Ticketholders for all New Year's Eve performances at the Kennedy Center -- or diners from the Roof Terrace Restaurant that evening -- are invited to the Grand Foyer Party featuring a balloon-and-confetti countdown to 2006, where you can waltz and swing dance to two fabulous New Year's Eve dance bands until 1 a.m.!

A true original, Marlena Shaw masterfully blurs the lines between jazz, rock, swing, and R&B. She first performed at the Apollo Theater at age 10, but got her big break when she was invited to sing with the Count Basie Orchestra in the late '60s. Ever since, her smoky, soulful voice and extroverted stage presence have wowed audiences the world over, offering "a lifetime's experience [that] adds up to something worth celebrating" (The New York Times).

An NEA Jazz Masters on Tour Event
with special guest Abdou Mboup

Steeped in the vibrant musical cultures of Africa, NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston remains one of the world's foremost pianists and composers. The Village Voice hails Weston for possessing "the biggest sound of any jazz pianist since Ellington and Monk, as well as the richest, most inventive beat." As Langston Hughes once said, "When Randy plays, a combination of strength and gentleness, virility and velvet, emerges from the keys in an ebb and flow of sound seemingly as natural as the waves of the sea." As part of NEA Jazz Masters on Tour, he performs with his quintet African Rhythms featuring acclaimed trombonist Benny Powell, plus special guest percussionist Abdou Mboup, a Senegalese kora master.  

Part of the Discovery Series in the KC Jazz Club

In his early 20s, trumpeter Dominick Farinacci is turning heads throughout the jazz world. A recent graduate of The Juilliard School, he has performed with Peter Cincotti, Warren Vache, and Renee Rosnes, and with Wynton Marsalis as part of a Louis Armstrong tribute televised on PBS. The New York Times says Farinacci has "classic poise," demonstrating "the ability to move through several moods, then drive an improvisation home with power."

20th Anniversary Tour
with special guest Regina Carter

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2005, this swinging big band is led by brothers John Clayton, bass, and Jeff Clayton, saxophone, and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Featuring an all-star lineup of Los Angeles–based musicians, the Grammy(r)-nominated orchestra was rated as "Best Big Band" in Down Beat Magazine's 2003 Readers' Poll. Dazzling Grammy(r)-nominated violinist Regina Carter, who Time Magazine praises as "one of the top creative artists in America," joins the ensemble for two thrilling performances.

Harold Adamson Centennial

With a knack for hard-driving swing, daring expression, sophisticated artistry, and formidable technique, Eric Reed "has command of the keyboard…and nuances that make him a first-class jazz pianist" (JazzTimes). Last seen at the Kennedy Center's Jazz Piano Summit I in 2005, the gospel-influenced Philadelphia native returns for a 100th birthday salute to famed Hollywood songwriter and composer Harold Adamson, who wrote dozens of 1930s and '40s standards--among them "Time on My Hands," "Winter Wonderland," "An Affair to Remember," "I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night," and "It's a Wonderful World."

With deep roots in jazz, gospel, pop, and classical music, pianist, composer, and arranger Bill Mays boasts an eclectic and prolific career that spans more than four decades. The Toronto Star says he displays "the finesse of Jimmy Rowles, the spirit of Art Tatum, and the drive of Horace Silver," while All About Jazz praises Mays as "a complete jazz musician. His versatility to seamlessly jump from era to era of jazz is hard to come by these days, [but] his understanding of the old-school technique and feel are just as good as his playing on unmistakably modern jazz."

Kennedy Center favorite Carmen Lundy is a woman of many faces: composer, arranger, producer, actress, painter, and sophisticated vocalist well known for her progressive bop and post-bop stylings--"an uncompromising jazz singer whose every note is bulls-eye accurate" (The Los Angeles Times). Equally adept at love-struck ballads, songs of heartbreak, or full-out swing, Lundy wields a voice of "agility and seductive allure [that] make for a potent combination."

"One of the most exciting new voices in jazz" (The Boston Globe), young pianist Vijay Iyer propels his audiences into exotic realms of sound where American jazz and traditional Indian music intersect. The Chicago Tribune says, "Imagine the fervor of Indian chant, pulsing in a music that's rhythmically alive, and you have a rough idea of the urgency and originality of [his work]." The Los Angeles Times calls his multicultural style "so gripping and provocative that one hardly can wait to hear what outlandish ideas [he'll] hit upon next."

The Spirits Up Above: Rahsaan Roland Kirk Tribute

Rolling Stone Magazine calls jazz innovator Steve Turré "a powerful technician with a soulful tone and quick wit. Perhaps the leading trombonist of this generation, he also wails on his self-designed conch shells, making robust sound that can be both eerie and serene." Also a member of TV's Saturday Night Live band for more than 20 years, Steve Turré offers KC Jazz Club audiences music from his latest recording The Spirits Up Above, an homage to the late post-modern multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, who introduced Turré to the seashell as an instrument.  

A beacon on the Chicago jazz scene, multiple Grammy(r)-nominated pianist Laurence Hobgood "isn't afraid to take the road less traveled. On the ivories, he's a monster" (All About Jazz). After playing to sold-out audiences on New Year's Eve 2004 alongside Hobgood's frequent collaborator Kurt Elling, his acclaimed threesome returns for more sensational sounds. "His pianism--with its shimmering arpeggios, advanced harmonies, and pervasively singing tone--is ravishing" (The Chicago Tribune).

Multiple Grammy(r) nominee and former Miles Davis sideman Kenny Garrett is one of the most scintillating alto and soprano saxophone forces in the genre. He brings a muscular yet lyrical eloquence to everything he plays, whether swingin' hard with the standards, collaborating with hip-hop artists and symphony orchestras, or rockin' out with Sting and Peter Gabriel. The Washington Post decries, "Someone should post a storm warning prior to a Kenny Garrett concert."

Part of the new Discovery Series in the KC Jazz Club

An "extraordinary singer" who knows how to "pry open all the sweet spots in songs" (The New York Times), Gretchen Parlato possesses a rare ingenuity and passion for lyrics that belie her age. Winner of the 2004 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, she has developed a soothing style of fresh, breezy phrases and lilting Brazilian rhythms. Parlato has performed with many of today's top talents, including Terence Blanchard, Carmen Lundy, and Herbie Hancock, who says she has "a deep, almost magical connection to the music."

A "singular and breathtaking" (All About Jazz) bop-centered sextet powered by three remarkable flute masters, Flutology brings a dazzling freshness to the traditional role of the jazz flute. Frank Wess, a legendary figure in the history of jazz flute and perennial favorite in Down Beat polls, comes together with flautists and Down Beat "Rising Stars" Holly Hofmann and Ali Ryerson--plus an all-star rhythm section featuring pianist Mike Wofford, bassist James King, and drummer Victor Lewis--for an invigorating approach to music-making.

The Chicago Tribune hails Karrin Allyson as a "spellbinding" performer with "flawless rhythm" and "cool, savvy musical insight." The two-time Grammy(r) nominee has established herself as one of today's most appealing and expressive singers and pianists, whose range encompasses everything from Gershwin, Monk, and Joni Mitchell to French ballads and Brazilian bossa nova. The Wall Street Journal says Karrin Allyson "swings like a pendulum, and her slender, sunny voice makes you smile the moment you hear it."

The "classy and creative" (JazzTimes) trio led by pianist Joyce DiCamillo is known for its rhythmic interpretations of American popular standards, jazz compositions, and Brazilian favorites. They're joined by Marvin Stamm, the acclaimed bop-based trumpeter from Memphis who "plays with a ferocious blend of fire and surprise" (The Washington Post) and bassist Chip Jackson.

The Saga of a Black Cowboy

"One of the best male jazz vocalists of his genre" (The New York Times), Allan Harris presents a fascinating concert portrait of the wild American West with the Cross That River band, as part of Country: A Celebration of America's Music. Through storytelling and song encompassing gospel, bluegrass, Mexican ballads, and more, The Saga of a Black Cowboy chronicles the journey of Blue, an escaped Louisiana slave whose westward ride to freedom crosses the paths of other men and women of color, each with moving tales of their own.

Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival Award Recipient

A pianist, composer, and bandleader with "unmistakable lyrical gifts" (The New Yorker), Toshiko Akiyoshi is renowned for her bebop mastery and for infusing traditional Japanese music into bold, original arrangements. After recently retiring her internationally acclaimed New York Jazz Orchestra, the multiple Grammy(r) nominee continues to be a driving force in the jazz world, touring and recording to great critical praise. Marking her 60th year in jazz, Akiyoshi performs two intimate concerts with her trio as part of the Kennedy Center's annual Arts of Japan Celebration.

Winner of two Grammy Awards(r) for Best Jazz Vocalist, Diane Schuur brandishes the power to amaze with her supreme vocal versatility and sensational 3-1/2 octave range. This gifted singer has made an indelible musical mark, ever since she was presented by Dizzy Gillespie at the 1979 Monterey Jazz Festival. "Blessed with a clear ringing voice, Schuur has emerged as the singer most likely to succeed in carrying on the broad jazz-pop tradition of Ella Fitzgerald" (The New York Times).

Please note: concert date moved from January 6 to April 1.

featuring Ronnie Cuber, Scott Robinson, and Gary Smulyen
Gerry Mulligan Tribute

The robust sound of the baritone saxophone comes to the fore when three of the instrument's top players celebrate the music of the late Gerry Mulligan, one of the most influential baritone saxophonists of our time. Jazz veteran and group leader Ronnie Cuber joins Scott Robinson and Gary Smulyen--both masters on the New York music scene--for a set of spirited solos and sensitive interplay in the KC Jazz Club. "Like Mulligan," praises All About Jazz, "the trio plays it cool and with comfort." The Village Voice says: "When all three stand together, the earth shakes with melody."

The Art of Elvin

The pursuit of knowledge, experience, and swing is a recurring theme in the music of drummer and composer Carl Allen. "A physical, hard-swinging drummer of the Art Blakey school, he pushes his band mates to abandon their cool reserve so they can testify as if shouting out in church" (The Washington Post). Allen unleashes his formidable percussive powers in a tribute concert to Blakey and Elvin Jones, alongside pianist Mulgrew Miller other talented musicians who have performed with the late drumming legends.

Don't miss this popular Kennedy Center festival that showcases some of today's top female jazz artists! 

Dee Dee Bridgewater and NEA Jazz Master Abbey Lincoln will perform in the 2006 festival, as well as Jessica Williams, Daniela Schaechter, Terri Lyne Carrington, Sarah Morrow, Mimi Fox, Trudy Pitts, Ernestine Anderson, and Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Past participants have included Marian McPartland, Diane Schuur, Jane Monheit, Hiromi, and Geri Allen.

 "The music speaks volumes about the contributions women have made to jazz--and continue to make--both here and abroad" (The Washington Post). The Kennedy Center will also host its 2nd Annual Women in Jazz Pianist Competition, in which five pianists will play in the finals on the Millennium Stage. The 2005 winner, Daniela Schaechter, will perform as part of the festival's evening concerts. For complete competition information, please call (202) 416-8811.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:

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THURSDAY, MAY 11 AT 7 P.M.

Jessica Williams
One of today's finest improvisational jazz pianists, Jessica Williams forges a distinctive, multi-layered sound infused with heart and soul. Dave Brubeck calls her "one of the greatest pianists I've ever heard." At the concert, she opens the festival with the debut of a suite dedicated to Dr. Billy Taylor.

Sarah Morrow 4tet
Discovered by Ray Charles, trombonist Sarah Morrow was the first female instrumentalist to become a member of his orchestra. After touring with him, she joined former Miles Davis bassist Foley in Europe as part of a three-horn section playing funk. All About Jazz hails her work on the slide trombone as "first-rate, bluesy, swinging, blaring, and bold."

Dee Dee Bridgewater
Grammy and Tony Award winner Dee Dee Bridgewater is touted by the Village Voice as "the most capable jazz singer of her generation…she is the gold standard by which all divas will now be measured, a total package entertainer."

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FRIDAY, MAY 12 AT 7 P.M.

Daniela Schaechter Quartet, featuring Terri Lyne Carrington
The winner of last year's inaugural Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Pianist Competition, Daniela Schaechter balances "fluid improvisations with a soulful touch, adding subtle harmonic accents here and there" (The Washington Post). Performing with Schaechter's quartet is Grammy-nominated drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, a veteran of the 1998 and 2003 Women in Jazz festivals.

Mimi Fox
From urgent bop-fueled romps and earthy blues to gorgeous ballads, alluring bossas, and sensuous sambas, guitarist Mimi Fox displays a masterful command of the fretboard, for which she's been named a "Rising Star" in three consecutive Down Beat polls. Guitar Player Magazine says, "Fox is a prodigious talent who has not only mastered the traditional forms, but has managed to reinvigorate them."

NEA Jazz Master Abbey Lincoln
Legendary songstress and actress Abbey Lincoln possesses a magical voice, which New York Newsday calls "an agile heat ray shooting past the nerve endings toward the soul's very core." A recipient of one of the NEA's prestigious 2003 Jazz Masters Fellowships, Lincoln has a style that "remains unique in jazz, a blend of soulful idealism and metaphysical leanings" (JazzTimes). 

2006 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival Award: Patti Bown 
 The Friday evening concert will also include the presentation of this year's Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival Award to Patti Bown for her lifetime of service to jazz. A queen of jazz, Bown is a jazz pianist "with a strong, adventurous approach, a melodic instinct, and an intense sense of rhythm" (The New York Times). A frequent collaborator with Quincy Jones, Patti Bown has also accompanied Billy Eckstine, Dinah Washington, and Leon Redbone.

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SATURDAY, MAY 13 AT 7 P.M.

Trudy Pitts & Friends
Philadelphia native Trudy Pitts, with her "fresh style complementing both avant adventurers and soul-jazz groovers" (Philadelphia Weekly), has performed on her Hammond B-3 organ with such jazz luminaries as John Coltrane, Grover Washington Jr., and Dakota Station. She also appeared at the Women in Jazz festival in 1997 and 2000, and served as a judge for last year's inaugural Women in Jazz Pianist Competition.

Ernestine Anderson
Ernestine Anderson has been singing jazz for more than 50 years, and she doesn't show signs of slowing down anytime soon. An acknowledged virtuoso of the blues, she is equally superb with ballads and swing. From intimate trio formats to big band, she does it all with seductive sophistication. "Cruising through a typical set of blues, sultry torch songs, and up-tempo cookers, Anderson conveys a hypnotic and sensual presence" (Los Angeles Times).

Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra
DIVA is a romping, stomping, free-swinging, and exceptionally talented 15-member ensemble that is taking the jazz world by storm. Comprised entirely of women, this group led by drummer Sherrie Maricle is carrying the legacy of big bands like a torch into the new millennium, and lighting the way for fresh new faces in the world of jazz. JazzTimes says, "If there were still big band cutting sessions, DIVA would swing a lot of the remaining big bands out of the place."

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FREE PERFORMANCES ON THE KENNEDY CENTER MILLENNIUM STAGE, NO TICKETS REQUIRED

THURSDAY, MAY 11 & SATURDAY, MAY 13 AT 6 P.M.
IAJE Sisters in Jazz Collegiate All-Stars
In cooperation with the International Association for Jazz Education.
 
FRIDAY, MAY 12 AT 12–2 P.M. & 6–7 P.M.
Second Annual Women in Jazz Pianist Competition
A Performance Plus ™ Event
In honor of Mary Lou Williams, the Kennedy Center once again presents this exciting two-part pianist competition, in which five finalists get to display their talents in front of Millennium Stage audiences and a jury of renowned international musicians. The winner will be announced later the same evening during the festival's 7 p.m. performance in the Terrace Theater. The winner will enjoy the opportunity to perform as part of the 12th annual festival in 2007.

SATURDAY, MAY 13 AT 12:30–2:30 P.M.
Jam Session  
 Led by bassist Miriam Sullivan, drummer Lucianna Padmore, and the winner of the Pianist Competition, musicians are invited to bring their instruments and join this exciting impromptu jam session!

Grammy(r) Winner

One of the most acclaimed acoustic and electric bassists to emerge in the 1990s, Christian McBride has a zeal for diversity that has led him to work with everyone from Chick Corea and Pat Metheny to Diana Krall and Bruce Hornsby. "McBride's love of '70s fusion rears its head in his intricate arrangements, while his passion for straight-ahead jazz and funk gives [his music] a warm, spontaneous feeling" (Billboard Magazine).

Three-time Grammy(r) Winner

Chicago-born composer, pianist, and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis embodies the great diversity of music for which his native city is noted. The three-time Grammy(r) winner's early gospel playing and classical training continue to inform his performance style today. Forty years since his first classic hit--the chart-topping "The In Crowd"--Ramsey and his latest trio have released their new CD Time Flies. Praising the recording, Quincy Jones says, "Ramsey has gone back to his roots…he has tapped into a new vein of inspiration. It is his best playing in years."