In Focus: Mary Lou Williams

Undoubtedly one of jazz's greatest musicians and arrangers, and frequently cited as jazz's greatest female musician, Mary Lou Williams' career is one of constant evolution. Initially playing stride piano in the 1920s, she modernised along with jazz while other figures from the era were often forgotten. Often opting to play with younger artists, she helped incubate the bebop style in the mid 1940s, encouraging the likes of Thelonius Monk, Bud Powell, & Dizzy Gillespie to experiment. In her later years she became deeply invested in her catholic faith, writing numerous masses & a cantata. This In Focus is an hour long trip through the gospel, bebop, & third stream styles of an all time jazz great.