Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival - 15th Anniversary



Date:   May 20-22, 2010
Day:   Thursday - Saturday
Location: 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566
Host: Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Description:
15th annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival
Hosted by Dee Dee Bridgewater and Terri Lyne Carrington

All the 2008 and 2009 concerts sold out--so for 2010, be sure to buy your tickets for this annual Kennedy Center festival featuring today's top female jazz artists. In recognition of the 100th anniversary of Mary Lou Williams's birth, this season's concerts will highlight the compositions and arrangements of Mary Lou herself.

Howard University's jazz vocal ensemble, Afro Blue, opens each night's concert with a Williams vocal work, arranged by Howard University's own Connaitre Miller, Afro Blue Music Director.

The opening night concert on Thursday, May 20, features an extended performance by an all-star quintet of Dee Dee Bridgewater, Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, and Grace Kelly; plus a set by 2009 Women in Jazz Competition–winning pianist Carmen Staaf.

On Friday, May 21, vocalist Catherine Russell returns to the Terrace Theater following her standing ovation turn in the 2007 festival. Plus Kennedy Center big band favorite Sherrie Maricle and DIVA takes on some of Williams's heartiest charts.

The climax of the festival on Saturday, May 22, is the Mary Lou Williams Collective with pianist Geri Allen, Music Director, performing Mary Lou Williams's jazz masterwork, Mass, with vocalist Carmen Lundy. The Washington Post says the festival "speaks volumes about the contributions women have made to jazz--and continue to make--both here and abroad." A complete lineup will be released at a later date.

Age: All
Price: $38
Dress: Dress To Impress
Scene: Festival

Contact: Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Website: www.kennedy-center.org
Email:
Phone: 800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600