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.