Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

Apr 1, 2015

1h 10m

★ 8.0

She fought to create in a world that could not see past her race or gender

Overview

Jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams was a genius ahead of her time. From child prodigy to "Boogie-Woogie Queen" to groundbreaking composer to mentoring some of the greatest musicians of all time, she never ceased to astound those who heard her play. But for a Black woman in the early 1900s, life as a star did not come easy.

Genres

Documentary

Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band Trailers

Cast

Self (archive footage)

Mary Lou Williams

Mary Lou Williams (voice)

Alfre Woodard

John Williams (voice)

Delroy Lindo

Andy Kirk (voice)

Wendell Pierce

Self

Stanley Crouch

Self

Robin D.G. Kelley

Self

Gary Giddins

Self

Tammy L. Kernodle

Self

Farah Griffin

Self

Gayle Murchison

Self

Alexandra Noailles

Self

Peter O'Brien

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