Dee Dee Bridgewater, Corky Hale, Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson et al. Set for Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival

Tony Award winner Dee Dee Bridgewater will host The Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, to be presented at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, May 19-21 at 7pm.

Showcasing the world’s most respected and accomplished female jazz artists, from the well known to the young and up-and-coming, the festival will kick off on Thursday, May 19 with JaLaLa vocal group: Janis Siegel, Laurel Massé, and Lauren Kinhan; Jamie Baum, flute, and her Septet; and Tia Fuller, saxophone, with her Quartet.

Bridgewater will be joined by Dianne Reeves and Cassandra Wilson for a special tribute to the late vocalist Abbey Lincoln on Friday, May 20. Terri Lyne Carrington will serve as music director and drummer.

The closing night of the festival on Saturday, May 21 will feature Corky Hale, harp, vocals, and piano; Peggy Stern, piano and “Sweet” Sue Terry, saxophone; and pecial guest vocalist Marlena Shaw with FIVE PLAY: Sherrie Maricle, drums; Janelle Reichman, saxophone; Noriko Ueda, bass; Tomoko Ohno, piano; and Jami Dauber, trumpet and flugelhorn.

In addition, on May 20 & 21 on the Millennium Stage, Explore the Arts presents in a free Showcase the exceptional pianists selected as the second annual class of the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Emerging Artist Workshop.

For tickets and more information on the festival, click here.