Mary Lou Williams
One woman that stood out from the rest due to her exceptional talent was Mary Lou Williams. Often referred to as the most influential female jazz musician was skilled at piano as well as composing and arranging. “In addition to be being a pianist, Williams was also a highly regarded composer and arranger.” (DeGraffenreid, Fowler, Gerber, and Lawrence, 2006, p. 210). Williams studied all elements of music. This contributed more than likely to her ability to vary her music. “Williams studied piano, composition, and harmony during her formative years in Pittsburgh…Williams was no amateur, rather a full fledged powerhouse with a stirring two-handed attack.” (Isacoff, 2011, p. 155).
Mary Lou Williams was unyielding in her quest for the latest. Williams had the gift to keep her talents fresh and her music was always evolving. She is quoted as saying on Marian McPartland’s (an accomplished pianist in her own right) radio show, “I’m the only living musician that has played all the eras…other musicians lived through the era and they never changed their styles” (Isacoff, 2011). Duke Ellington often referenced Williams as “beyond category”. Williams was without question a pioneer in leading to recognition of females not only in jazz but in all genres of music. The Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival would much later in history be created in honor of her accomplishments in breaking barriers in jazz. Williams in her career would compose more that 350 musical compositions. Some of her later works were sacred as she became a convert to Catholicism.
http://www.npr.org/artists/15394732/mary-lou-williams
One woman that stood out from the rest due to her exceptional talent was Mary Lou Williams. Often referred to as the most influential female jazz musician was skilled at piano as well as composing and arranging. “In addition to be being a pianist, Williams was also a highly regarded composer and arranger.” (DeGraffenreid, Fowler, Gerber, and Lawrence, 2006, p. 210). Williams studied all elements of music. This contributed more than likely to her ability to vary her music. “Williams studied piano, composition, and harmony during her formative years in Pittsburgh…Williams was no amateur, rather a full fledged powerhouse with a stirring two-handed attack.” (Isacoff, 2011, p. 155).
Mary Lou Williams was unyielding in her quest for the latest. Williams had the gift to keep her talents fresh and her music was always evolving. She is quoted as saying on Marian McPartland’s (an accomplished pianist in her own right) radio show, “I’m the only living musician that has played all the eras…other musicians lived through the era and they never changed their styles” (Isacoff, 2011). Duke Ellington often referenced Williams as “beyond category”. Williams was without question a pioneer in leading to recognition of females not only in jazz but in all genres of music. The Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival would much later in history be created in honor of her accomplishments in breaking barriers in jazz. Williams in her career would compose more that 350 musical compositions. Some of her later works were sacred as she became a convert to Catholicism.
http://www.npr.org/artists/15394732/mary-lou-williams