To make a “significant contribution to gender equality in culture and the arts”—that was the aim of the first edition of the Women in Jazz festival in 2006. A lot has happened since then, even though gender equality remains a distant goal even today.

But that’s not the case at Women in Jazz, which is celebrating its 21st edition this year. Once again, the festival team is presenting a top-notch, internationally focused program of projects whose artistic direction, as the website notes, is “under the responsibility of a female jazz musician.”

A particular highlight of this year’s lineup is undoubtedly multiple Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo, who blends elements of Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, and R&B in her music. Estonian artist Kirke Karja, who performed at last year’s 49th Leipzig Jazz Days, will also grace the festival with her trio. So will Leipzig-based drummer Eva Klesse, who was named “Artist of the Year” at last year’s German Jazz Awards and recently made headlines with her album “Stimmen.”