The Lady Who Swings The Band

By Suubi Mondesir

?Born in 1910, Mary Lou Williams was an exemplary jazz pianist. She paved the way for black women in jazz and inspired a generation of musicians. Her life and talent are celebrated in the film, The Lady Who Swings the Band, being presented at the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, in Red Bank, on November 13, from 5 -7 p.m. Her story is among those women pioneers who knew no boundaries. The film’s Director, Carol Bash, will also be at the screening to engage in a post film conversation.

?The movie is presented by Women-N-Media, a non-profit organization based in Newark. It was established in 2009, to educate the public on global issues facing women using film, video, and the media. The film is part of their annual film festival. Each year they host a festival that features a variety of films created by and about women. Since 2009, Women-N-Media have been progressive in showcasing international films and filmmakers on a range of topics.

?However, during pandemic the organization had to pivot to virtual presentations. Pamela Morgan, the Executive Director, believes they have survived because there is a need for what they do. Morgan believes their films about prominent women in history are still relevant today. Williams, who, according to Duke Ellington, defied being categorized, because that’s how diversified she was as a pianist, composer, and arranger of the time.

?She was a music innovator in a field considered a man's territory and thrived in a white society. In 1972, Williams, who was Catholic, performed seven consecutive Sundays at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newark, during its Lenten season leading up to Easter.?She was invited to play there by her friend, the late Monsignor William Linder, who was then a priest at the church. He was the founder of New Community Corporation that played an important role in building back the Central Ward in Newark after the '67 riot. In his memoir, Out of the Ashes Came Hope, by Gilda Rogers, he tells how Williams transformed the church into a “jazz haven for the masses,” with her performance of Mary Lou’s Mass, a very famous jazz composition. On Easter Sunday she brought one of her friends along, the great trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie.

Morgan said, “The relevance never leaves.” People in Newark still remember Williams today, who died in 1981. The film serves as a reminder of the positive impact she had on the black community, women, and the music industry.?

?The Cultural Center is the perfect place to present Williams alongside her contemporaries. “I think that there's a parallel between Mary Lou Williams and Count Basie,” said Morgan. The Cultural Center is currently featuring the Red Bank native in an immersive exhibit about his life and Grammy award winning jazz music. The mission of the Cultural Center is to educate the community about unsung heroes, one of which was T. Thomas Fortune. Now with Williams, and Basie together in one space is a dynamic combination that will create an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance.?

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