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

She fought to create in a world that could not see past her race or gender

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

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.

Director: Carol Bash
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 70 min
Release Date:

Cast

Music: Sumi Tonooka
Cinematography: Michael Chin, Robert Shepard
Editing: Sandra Christie
Language: English
Original Language: en

Keywords

musician, jazz singer or musician, pianist, woman director

Trailer

Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band Trailer
More Films by Director: Carol Bash
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band about?
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.
Who directed Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band?
Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band was directed by Carol Bash.
Who stars in Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band?
Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band stars Mary Lou Williams, Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindo, Wendell Pierce, Stanley Crouch, Robin D.G. Kelley.
How long is Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band?
Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band has a runtime of 1h 10m (70 minutes).
What genre is Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band?
Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band is a Documentary film.