13+ Mary Lou Williams Quotes On Education, Slavery And Hard Work

Mary Lou Williams was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. She was one of the most influential and prolific composers in jazz history and was a pioneer in the bebop movement. Her compositions ranged from traditional jazz to blues, gospel, and classical music. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Mary Lou Williams on education, leadership, slavery.

One way and another I was having a ball - playing gigs, jamming and listening to fine musicians. Then came a crisis at home. My stepfather fell sick, and it meant I had to support the family. — Mary Lou Williams

I wonder what an agent would do if he had to travel with the band he's booking. — Mary Lou Williams

Anything you are shows up in your music - jazz is whatever you are, playing yourself, being yourself, letting your thoughts come through. — Mary Lou Williams

Many people forget that Jazz, no matter what form it takes, must come from the heart as well as the mind. — Mary Lou Williams

During the years I was with Andy Kirk we starved almost. I remember not eating for practically a month several times. But we were very, very happy because the music was so interesting, and you forgot to eat, anyway. — Mary Lou Williams

I have been tied up with music for about as long as I can remember. By the time I was four I was picking out little tunes my mother played on the reed organ in the living-room. — Mary Lou Williams

Offers for me to play dances, society parties, even churches, were now coming in regularly. For most dates I was paid the sum of one dollar per hour, and they always tipped me at the end of the night. — Mary Lou Williams

Within a few hours I had them off, was about ready to play the shows. That night I opened, and during the week Harris was over to the house to talk my mother into letting me leave home. — Mary Lou Williams

When Seymour saw me seated at the piano at that first rehearsal, he shouted: 'What's that kid doing here? Call your piano player and let's get started.' — Mary Lou Williams

Quite a few musicians came to our house. And my ma took me to hear many more, hoping to encourage in me a love of music. But she wouldn't consent to my having music lessons, for she feared I might end up as she had done - unable to play except from paper. — Mary Lou Williams

If you work on your talent, the plans will fall in automatically. — Mary Lou Williams

It's not what you play, it's how you play it. — Mary Lou Williams

He explained how ridiculous the clowning was, and there and then I decided to settle down and play seriously. — Mary Lou Williams

Life Lessons by Mary Lou Williams

1. Mary Lou Williams was a trailblazer in the jazz world, showing that women could be just as successful as men in a male-dominated industry.
2. Her work demonstrated that jazz could be used to express a wide range of emotions and musical styles, from traditional swing to more modern bebop.
3. Williams also showed that jazz could be used to express spiritual and political messages, as well as to entertain.