Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

Overview

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

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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

N/A

Gary Giddins

Self

N/A

Tammy L. Kernodle

Self

N/A

Farah Griffin

Self

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Gayle Murchison

Self

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Alexandra Noailles

Self

N/A

Peter O'Brien

Self