Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

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

2015 1h 10mDir. Carol Bash
8.0/ 10
Documentary

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.

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Cast & Crew

M

Mary Lou Williams

Self (archive footage)

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard

Mary Lou Williams (voice)

Delroy Lindo

Delroy Lindo

John Williams (voice)

Wendell Pierce

Wendell Pierce

Andy Kirk (voice)

Stanley Crouch

Stanley Crouch

Self

Robin D.G. Kelley

Robin D.G. Kelley

Self

G

Gary Giddins

Self

T

Tammy L. Kernodle

Self

F

Farah Griffin

Self

G

Gayle Murchison

Self

A

Alexandra Noailles

Self

P

Peter O'Brien

Self

R

Robert O'Meally

Self

B

Billy Taylor

Self

G

Geri Allen

Self - Performer

Esperanza Spalding

Esperanza Spalding

Self - Performer

Terri Lyne Carrington

Terri Lyne Carrington

Self - Performer

W

Wycliffe Gordon

Self - Performer

C

Carmen Lundy

Self - Performer

Joel Haberli

Joel Haberli

Barney Josephson / Critic (voice)

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