Mary Lou Williams achieved extraordinary recognition and success as pianist, composer and arranger

Mary Lou Williams achieved extraordinary recognition and success as pianist, composer and arranger in a world and an era where women found often it hard to break through into areas other than simply singing with bands. Born in 1910, she built a reputation working with Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds of Joy, and arranged for top bandleaders and performers like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman as well as being a mentor to major artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker. Her career eventually covered about half a century, so unsurprisingly her playing encompassed a variety of developing techniques, from blues to stride, and swing through bebop and beyond. This 51-track 2-CD collection comprises recordings she made over a period of over three decades from her 1927 studio debut through to the '50s, when her work was distinctly selective and eclectic. It naturally includes a significant tranche of her work with Andy Kirk in the '30s, but also includes solo, trio, small band and other ensembles, featuring many of her own compositions and arrangements. Inevitably it features performances by a variety of noted musicians with whom she recorded, from Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins and Don Byas through to British artist like Tony Kinsey and Allan Ganley, with whom she recorded during her European sojourn in the early '50s. It's hugely varied and entertaining, and a fine showcase for her unique and versatile talents

Track Listing

• Midnight Stomp
• Down In Gallion
• Mess-A-Stomp
• Froggy Bottom
• Night Life
• Dallas Blues
• Walkin' And Swingin'
• Bearcat Shuffle
• Steppin' Pretty
• Overhand (New Froggy Bottom)
• Clean Pickin'
• Mary's Special
• Keep It In The Groove
• Twinklin'
• Little Joe From Chicago
• The Pearls
• What's Your Story Morning Glory
• Mary's Idea
• Zonky
• Mary Lou Williams Blues
• Scratchin' The Gravel
• The Count
• Baby Dear
• Harmony Blues
• Ring Dem Bells

• 47th Street Jive
• Blue Skies
• Yesterdays
• Roll 'Em
• Mary's Boogie
• St. Louis Blues
• You Know Baby
• This 'n' That
• Song In My Soul
• Aries
• Scorpio
• Harmony Grits
• Kool
• Benny's Bop [Limehouse blues] [Wardell's riff]
• Oo-Bla-Dee
• Willow Weep For Me
• Bobo
• Out Of Nowhere
• Titoros
• Rag Of Rags
• Musical Express
• Lullaby Of The Leaves
• Autumn In New York
• Nancy Is In Love With The Colonel
• Chuck-a-luck Jug Pt. 1
• Chuck-a-luck Jug Pt. 2

Additional Details

Label: Fabulous

Genre: Jazz

Language: English

Run Time: 143 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 12/02/14

UPC: 824046204624