She was ahead of her time\, a genius. Duri ng an era when Jazz was the nation's popular music\, Mary Lou Williams was one of its greatest innovators. As both a pianist and composer\, she was a font of daring and creativity who helped shape the sound of 20th century America. And like the dynamic\, turbulent nation in which she lived\, Wil liams seemed to redefine herself with every passing decade.
\nFrom c hild prodigy to "Boogie-Woogie Queen" to groundbreaking composer to mentor ing some of the greatest musicians of all time\, Mary Lou Williams never c eased to astound those who heard her play. But away from the piano\, Willi ams was a woman in a "man's world\," a black person in a "whites only" soc iety\, an ambitious artist who dared to be different\, and who struggled a gainst the imperatives of being a "star."
\nWinner of Outstanding In dependent Documentary at the \;Black Reel Awards. Winner of the HBO Co mpetition Award for Best Documentary at \;Martha's Vineyard African Am erican Film Festival.
\nRuntime is 1 hour 13 minutes. A discussion w ill take place right afterwards.
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