"interpretation of the entire history of jazz in one piece of music"

November 20, 2024 1:42 AM

April this year saw the premiere of History… by Mary Lou Williams, completed forty years posthumously by composer Anthony Kelley [transcript]. Williams grew up in Pittsburgh, was instrumental shaping the sound of 1940s big bands and later bebop, for instance writing In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee. She went on to release celebrated solo albums, such as Black Christ of the Andes, and larger compositions, including The Zodiac Suite and Mary Lou's Mass. She was at the height of her fame when she died in 1981, having performed in the White House and taught Mr. Roger to scat. History… was premiered by the Duke Wind Symphony.
posted by Kattullus (1 comment total)

Mary Lou Williams embodies the history of jazz. She was there at the beginning. I remember being in a record store on Cape Cod and the owner of the store announcing the news of her passing.
posted by DJZouke at 5:06 AM on November 20 [1 favorite]