Mary Lou Williams

Express To The Music Links

MARY LOU WILLIAMS was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1910. She began the study of piano when 3. At 7 she was considered a child prodigy and made frequent public appearances including concerts at the University of Pittsburgh. Possessing a remarkable ear, she was able to memorize entire symphony scores after hearing them but once. A broken arm almost ruined her career but fortunately it healed perfectly after two settings. Mary Lou studied music until she was graduated from high school as an honor student at 15. Shortly thereafter she broke into show business as the pianist for a vaudeville act. Two years later, she located in Memphis. Mary Lou played with a dance group for four years before joining Andy Kirk's band in 1931. She was featured with Kirk for the next eleven years, during which time she achieved national fame as a stylist. A talented arranger, she made numerous scores for the Kirk library. She has also scored for other name bands including Louis Armstrong, Bob Crosby, Benny Goodman, Glen Gray and Red Norvo. Since leaving Kirk, she has fronted her own jazz groups and worked as featured soloist at supper clubs. Her playing has an unusual lift and is executed with a clean, solid touch, the result of perfect relaxation.

The midi's on the web site are cut. Most of the mp3 files are complete. All of these are available as midi, .pdf files, printed sheet music recorded on tape or CD.

For a somewhat out of date and incomplete list of midi files click here .

To order anyhting please click here


Why midi and mp3 files? Midi files contain information, not sound. This information is sent to your sound card or synth. What you hear is the result of your hardware, not neccesarily what I hear.
I have recorded many, not all of my midi files, using my synths. The mp3 files allow you to hear what I intended not what your hardware defines.
Mp3 files are compressed sound files, not quite as good as original .wav files. If you order the cd - you will get the best sound as I intended it to be.


Music Links


midi Drag 'Em Blues

midi Mary Lou's Boogie

mp3 Mary Lou's Boogie (my synths)


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