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The genius history tried to erase — and the music that refused to die.
TMDB
80
IMDb
76
Google
98

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

unsung legendjazz royaltyarchival gold

Overview

Documentary

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.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
musicianjazz singer or musicianwoman directorpianist

Standout Aspects

Score

Mary Lou's own compositions — the soundtrack IS the subject.

Direction

Carol Bash lets the music breathe, never over-narrates.

Editing

Seamless weave of rare footage and poetic reenactments.

Best for:Solo: When you need to feel quietly radical.·Streaming: Perfect 70-minute deep dive before bed.·Friends: Convert your 'I don't like jazz' friend.
C

Director

Carol Bash

ReleasedApr 1, 2015
Runtime1h 10m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelheavy

Top Cast

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard

Mary Lou Williams (voice)

Delroy Lindo

Delroy Lindo

John Williams (voice)

Wendell Pierce

Wendell Pierce

Andy Kirk (voice)

Stanley Crouch

Stanley Crouch

Self

Robin D.G. Kelley

Robin D.G. Kelley

Self

Ask about Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Mary Lou arranged for Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman but rarely got credit — she was the ghostwriter behind swing's biggest hits.

Cultural

She was the only woman in Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds of Joy, earning half what men made while composing most of their charts. The film's title 'Lady Who Swings the Band' was literally a marketing compromise — she WAS the band.

YouTube

MARY LOU WILLIAMS: THE LADY WHO SWINGS THE BAND - TPFF 2016 TRAILER

MARY LOU WILLIAMS: THE LADY WHO SWINGS THE BAND - TPFF 2016 TRAILER

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