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

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.

Documentary

Mary Lou Williams

(Self (archive footage))

Alfre Woodard

(Mary Lou Williams (voice))

Delroy Lindo

(John Williams (voice))

Wendell Pierce

(Andy Kirk (voice))

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

(Self)

Robert O'Meally

(Self)

Billy Taylor

(Self)

Geri Allen

(Self - Performer)

Esperanza Spalding

(Self - Performer)

Terri Lyne Carrington

(Self - Performer)

Wycliffe Gordon

(Self - Performer)

Carmen Lundy

(Self - Performer)

Joel Haberli

(Barney Josephson / Critic (voice))

Robert Casteline

(Critic (voice))