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.
Director
Carol BashCast
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)