Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

8.020151h 10mDocumentary

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.

Actors

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
Gary Giddins
Self
Tammy L. Kernodle
Self

More Like This

Browse all
Sound and Chaos: The Story of BC Studio
Sound and Chaos: The Story of BC Studio
6.52014
Art's Home is my Kassel
Art's Home is my Kassel
—2014
The Execution of Wanda Jean
The Execution of Wanda Jean
5.32002
Naked Spaces: Living Is Round
Naked Spaces: Living Is Round
6.21985
Promised Lands
Promised Lands
5.61974
After the Revolution
After the Revolution
—1996
If Mama Ain't Happy, Nobody's Happy
If Mama Ain't Happy, Nobody's Happy
—2014
Des poules et des grosses voitures
Des poules et des grosses voitures
—2013