It can never be said that the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz does anything halfway. Held annually at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, this year's competition and gala concert was ambitious and extravagant—equal parts a celebration of jazz drumming, a salute to women's past and present contributions to the art form, and a promotion for the Institute's many programs.

Lasting well over two hours, the event unfolded like a beautifully orchestrated tapas banquet. The feast covered not only a wide range of musical styles, but also explored, through the speeches and awards, the Monk Institute's multifaceted programs and broad international reach. As with any such affair, while you may never get enough of your favorite dish and there is always one you don't particularly like, at the end of the night you can look back on both an evening of satisfaction and new experiences.

The Competition

Dedicated to the drum set this year, the two-day competition brought 12 young drummers from around the world—including Germany, Hawaii, Israel, and Slovenia—to vie for the Institute's illustrious and lucrative prizes, which include grants for further study and a recording contract with Concord Jazz.

The drum competition proved both a fine musical display and a chance to delve into a greater theme, in this case the history and defining importance of the drums to jazz. Before introducing the finalists, pianist