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.

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One Hundred a Day

One Hundred a Day

1973

The Afterglow

The Afterglow

2014

Beyond the Door

Beyond the Door

1982

Snackbar

Snackbar

2012

Beautiful 2012

Beautiful 2012

2012

Island of Love

Island of Love

1963

Moment by Moment

Moment by Moment

1978

The Spring Poem

The Spring Poem

2021

Nelio's Story

Nelio's Story

1998

John Apple Jack

John Apple Jack

2013

Jane Doe: The Harder They Fall

Jane Doe: The Harder They Fall

2006

Adore

Adore

2013

Defocusin

Defocusin

2013

Diary of an African Nun

Diary of an African Nun

1977

Into the Homeland

Into the Homeland

1987

Tord and Tord

2010

Yes, God, Yes

Yes, God, Yes

2020

Rosehill

Rosehill

2015

La espera

O Popelákovi

1986