Good morning.

Today we’re listening to Mary Lou Williams, an American jazz pianist from Atlanta. She was born in 1910 to a mother who played piano for the local church.¹ As a baby Mary Lou sat on her mother’s lap as she practiced, and around age three started fingering melodies on the keys. By age six she was picking up gigs across the city, and by age 13 was playing with Duke Ellington. Williams became the go-to pianist for ensembles and big bands across the country, going on to mentor up-and-comers like Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk.² We’re playing her 1953 album Mary Lou Williams Plays in London, a collection of standards with only bass and drum accompanists. Then we’re playing Zodiac Suite, her 1945 record of original compositions and improvisations.

Mary Lou Williams Plays in London - Mary Lou Williams (70m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal

Zodiac Suite - Mary Lou Williams (40m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal

Have a terrific Thursday.