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.

Cast

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