Abigail Washburn is an American folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Evanston, Illinois. She specializes in a unique blend of folk, bluegrass, and old-time music, often incorporating traditional Chinese songs. She has released four solo albums and collaborated with many well-known musical partners, such as Bela Fleck, the Sparrow Quartet, and Aoife O'Donovan. She has appeared on The Colbert Report and Austin City Limits, and performed at festivals, such as Bonnaroo and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. She received a scholarship to study Mandarin in college and has performed a variety of traditional Chinese songs in her live concerts. Washburn has received acclaim for both her solo music and her collaborations, and has been praised as a visionary, innovative songwriter.