Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

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.

Directed by Carol Bash

Top cast

M

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

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

Self - Performer

T

Terri Lyne Carrington

Self - Performer

W

Wycliffe Gordon

Self - Performer

C

Carmen Lundy

Self - Performer

Joel Haberli

Barney Josephson / Critic (voice)

Details