Every now and then a young musician comes along and accomplishes so much, so quickly, that the rest of us are forced to wonder what we are doing with our lives. That is the position in which we found ourselves when, during a recent interview, we tried to hide our envy while asking Esperanza Spalding what it was like to perform at the White House earlier this year before the President, first lady, and Stevie Wonder, at a ceremony awarding Wonder the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

“It was really beautiful. I got to meet the first lady and Mr. Obama, and they were very gracious and excited about music, and down to earth people,” the bassist/vocalist responded. “But the most exciting aspect is what that represents for music and arts, that our President is thinking with that mentality.”

Spalding, who is not yet 25, will be headlining tonight’s opening concert at the Kennedy Center’s 14th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, a show that will also feature vocalist Janis Siegel and woodwind artist Anat Cohen. And if her talent wasn’t reason enough to go hear Spalding, tonight’s concert should be especially good because this spirited performer holds a warm place in her heart for the District.

“I love that friggin’ city. It’s got energy, it’s alive, I just love it,” she declared.

But this festival also draws mixed feelings. On the one hand, the contribution of women to jazz is under-appreciated and deserves broader recognition. On the other, such an event might only underscore a gender gap that should not exist. Though she is enthusiastic about sharing the stage with such high-caliber artists, Spalding holds the latter point of view.

“I have an aversion to all things ‘women-in-whatever.’ I don’t see a purpose for it,” she said bluntly. “Wouldn’t it be offensive if there was a Japanese in folk music festival? You’re isolating that demographic.”