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Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band poster

MOVIE

Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

2015 · 70 min · 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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Official trailer

Where to watch in the United States

Free with adsKanopy

Creators

Carol Bash — Director

Top cast

MMary Lou WilliamsSelf (archive footage)Alfre Woodard portraitAlfre WoodardMary Lou Williams (voice)Delroy Lindo portraitDelroy LindoJohn Williams (voice)Wendell Pierce portraitWendell PierceAndy Kirk (voice)Stanley Crouch portraitStanley CrouchSelfRobin D.G. Kelley portraitRobin D.G. KelleySelfGGary GiddinsSelfTTammy L. KernodleSelfFFarah GriffinSelfGGayle MurchisonSelf

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