Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band (2015)

8.0 70 min Movie
Documentary

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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Cast

Mary Lou Williams 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 Gary Giddins Self
Tammy L. Kernodle Tammy L. Kernodle Self
Farah Griffin Farah Griffin Self
Gayle Murchison Gayle Murchison Self
Alexandra Noailles Alexandra Noailles Self
Peter O'Brien Peter O'Brien Self

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