Photo: William P. Gottlieb / Adam Cuerden / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Mary Lou Williams was credited as a jazz pianist, composer and bandleader. Mary Lou Williams was born on May 8, 1910 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Death is recorded on May 28, 1981, at the age of 71. Schooling on record includes Westinghouse High School. Recorded honors include Guggenheim Fellowship (1972, 1977) and honorary doctor of Fordham University (1973).
My Take
Mary Lou Williams deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as the giants, and too often isn't. Hundreds of compositions, over a hundred records, and a career that moved gracefully from swing through bebop without ever sounding dated, that is staggering durability. What moves me most is that she also taught and mentored the next generation, choosing to give the music away as much as perform it. Two Guggenheim Fellowships and a Fordham honorary doctorate hint at how widely she was respected. In a jazz world dominated by men, she commanded lasting respect on pure musicianship. A quiet titan.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Mary Lou Williams
- Name (Japanese)
- メリー・ルー・ウィリアムズ
- Reading
- めりー・るー・うぃりあむず
- Born
- May 8, 1910 – May 28, 1981
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Taurus / Dog
- Origin
- Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Occupation
- jazz pianist / composer / bandleader / teacher / recording artist
2. Background
- High school
- Westinghouse High School
Awards & achievements
- 1972 Guggenheim Fellowship
- 1977 Guggenheim Fellowship
- 1973 honorary doctor of Fordham University
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary%20Lou%20Williams
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126677
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Mary Lou Williams born?
Born May 8, 1910.
When did Mary Lou Williams die?
Died May 28, 1981, aged 71.
Where was Mary Lou Williams from?
Mary Lou Williams was from Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
What did Mary Lou Williams do?
Mary Lou Williams worked as jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, teacher, recording artist.
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