Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

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

Played Self (archive footag…
Alfre Woodard

Played Mary Lou Williams (v…
Delroy Lindo

Played John Williams (voice…
Wendell Pierce

Played Andy Kirk (voice)
Stanley Crouch

Played Self
Robin D.G. Kelley

Played Self
Gary Giddins

Played Self
Tammy L. Kernodle

Played Self
Farah Griffin

Played Self
Gayle Murchison

Played Self
Alexandra Noailles

Played Self
Peter O'Brien

Played Self
Robert O'Meally

Played Self
Billy Taylor

Played Self
Geri Allen

Played Self - Performer
Esperanza Spalding

Played Self - Performer
Terri Lyne Carringto…

Played Self - Performer
Wycliffe Gordon

Played Self - Performer
Carmen Lundy

Played Self - Performer
Joel Haberli

Played Barney Josephson / C…
Robert Casteline

Played Critic (voice)

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