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Mary Lou Williams

A female star in the male world of jazz, Mary Lou Williams (1909-81) was renowned as pianist and composer, colleague of Duke Ellington, a shining creator and performer. Geoffrey Smith surveys her long, brilliant career.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 3 Jan 2016 00:00
BBC Radio 3

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Branford Marsalis

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Ray Charles

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Music Played

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Mess-A-Stomp

  • Andy Kirk & Mary Lou Williams

    Mess-A-Stomp

    Performer: The Andy Kirk Band.
    • Key Moments.
    • Topaz.
    • 1.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Froggy Bottom

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Froggy Bottom

    • Key Moments.
    • Topaz.
    • 3.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Night Life

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Night Life

    • The First Lady In Jazz 1927 - 1957.
    • Fremeaux & Associes.
    • 1.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Walkin' and Swingin'

  • Andy Kirk & Mary Lou Williams

    Walkin' and Swingin'

    Performer: Dick Wilson. Performer: The Andy Kirk Band.
    • Key Moments.
    • Topaz.
    • 4.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Overhand

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Overhand

    • Key Moments.
    • Topaz.
    • 7.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Roll 'Em

  • Jess Stacy, Harry James & Benny Goodman

    Roll 'Em

    • Benny Goodman On The Air 1937-38.
    • Columbia.
    • 23.

  • Duke Ellington

    Trumpet No End (Blue Skies)

  • Duke Ellington & His Orchestra

    Trumpet No End

    Performer: Ray Nance. Performer: William “Cat” Anderson. Performer: Francis Williams. Performer: Shorty Baker. Performer: Taft Jordan.
    • Its Duke Ellington and His Orchestra Playing.
    • Ember Records.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Aries

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Aries

    Performer: Al Lucas.
    • Zodiac Suite.
    • Smithsonian.
    • 13.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Gemini

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Gemini

    • The First Lady In Jazz.
    • Fremeaux & Associes.
    • 16.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Perdido

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Perdido

    Performer: Tony Scott. Performer: Allan Ganley. Performer: Kenny Napper.
    • The London Sessions.
    • Vogue.
    • 1.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Mary's Waltz

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Mary's Waltz

    Performer: Don Byas.
    • The First Lady In Jazz.
    • Fremeaux & Associes.
    • 15.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Virgo

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Virgo

    Performer: Dizzy Gillespie Big Band.
    • The First Lady In Jazz.
    • Fremeaux & Associes.
    • 21.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Rosa Mae

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Rosa Mae

    Performer: Mickey Roker. Performer: Bob Cranshaw.
    • Zoning.
    • Smithsonian.
    • 9.

  • Mary Lou Williams

    I Can't Get Started

  • Mary Lou Williams

    I Can't Get Started

    Performer: Cecil Taylor.
    • Embraced.
    • Pablo.
    • 3.

  • Mary Lou Williams Trio

    Blues for Timme

  • Mary Lou Williams

    Blues for Timme

    • Free Spirits.
    • Steeplechase.
    • 9.

Broadcasts

Podcast

  • Geoffrey Smith's Jazz

    Geoffrey Smith's Jazz - a weekly sequence exploring what makes great jazz great music