In addition to her considerable musical talents, Mary Lou Williams is noteworthy as the first female jazz star who was not a vocalist, and as an important behind-the-scenes friend to fellow musicians like Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell. Music today from her work with Andy Kirk's band and from her own recordings, including her Zodiac Suite.
| Duke Ellington: "Mary Lou Williams is perpetually contemporary. Her writing and performing are and always have been just a little ahead . . . her music retains a standard of quality that is timeless. She is like soul on soul." |
| Moten Swing (1936) Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy - Mary's Idea |
| Harmony Blues (1940) Mary Lou Williams & Her Kansas City Seven - The Chronological Mary Lou Williams 1927-1940 |
| Night Life (1930) Mary Lou Williams - The Chronological Mary Lou Williams 1927-1940 |
| Froggy Bottom (1936) Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy - Mary's Idea |
| Walkin' & Swingin' (1936) Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy - The Engine Room: Big Band Drummers |
| Roll Em' (1944) Mary Lou Williams & Her Chosen Five - Complete Jazz Series - 1944 |
| Little Joe From Chicago (1939) Mary Lou Williams - The Chronological Mary Lou Williams 1927-1940 |
| Mary's Idea (1938) Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy - Mary's Idea |
| Gjon Mili Jam Session (1944) Mary Lou Williams & Her Orchestra - Complete Jazz Series - 1944 |
| Scratchin' In The Gravel (1940) Six Men & A Girl - The Chronological Mary Lou Williams 1927-1940 |
| The Lady Who Swings The Band (1936) Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy - Mary's Idea |
| Until My Baby Comes Back Home (1944) Nora Lee King (MLW pno) - Complete Jazz Series - 1944 |
| Aries Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite (1945) |
| Aries Dave Douglas - Soul On Soul (2000) |
| Taurus Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Gemini Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Cancer Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Leo Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Virgo Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Libra Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Scorpio Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Scorpio Oscar Pettiford - Another One (1955) |
| Sagittarius Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Capricorn Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Aquarius Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Pisces Mary Lou Williams - The Zodiac Suite |
| Hesitation Boogie (1946) Mary Lou Williams Trio - The Women: Classic Jazz Female Artists |
| Miss D. D. (mid-'60's) Mary Lou Williams Trio - Freedom Rhythm And Sound (compilation) |
| Spoken Commentary By MLW Mary Lou Williams - Live At The Keystone Korner (1974) |
| The History Of Jazz According To Mary Lou Mary Lou Williams - Live At The Keystone Korner |
| The Jeep Is Jumpin' Mary Lou Williams - Live At The Keystone Korner |
| from the notes to Dave Douglas' Soul On Soul - A Celebration Of Mary Lou Williams: "Mary Lou's being so consistently modern is what first attracted me to her music . . . it was not that she was a flashy player - she was a wonderful and tasteful player at the service of her musical vision - the ensemble sound." |
| Waltz Boogie Dave Douglas - Soul On Soul |
| Boogie Misterioso Mary Lou Williams' Girl Stars - The Women: Classic Jazz Female Artists |
| Play It Momma Dave Douglas - Soul On Soul |
| Conversation Mary Lou Williams' Girl Stars - The Women: Classic Jazz Female Artists |
| Mary's Idea Dave Douglas - Soul On Soul |
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