Mary Lou Williams

[Peter Friedman]

Marian McPartland put together an all female group with Vi Redd on alto sax, Mary Osborne on guitar, Lynn Milano on bass and Dotty Dodgion on drums. They recorded an album called - "Now's The Time" on Halcyon.

This was recorded live at "The Monticello" in Rochester, New York on June 30,1977

I was living in Rochester at that time, and went to see the group at the Monticello. Don't recall if I was there the evening when the album was recorded.

[mikeweil]

That's a nice album ...

19 hours ago, EKE BBB said:

 

The four tracks with Clark Terry were added as bonus tracks to the Verve Elite Edition CD of an EmArcy LP - indeed good music!

Some of the tracks were in the Forty Years of Women in Jazz Box set on Stash or the two CD version on Jass:

 

Edited October 15, 2018 by mikeweil

[sidewinder]

2 hours ago, mikeweil said:

That's a nice album ...

 

 

That looks like Kathy Stobart on the cover.

[mikeweil]

Yes!

[jeffcrom]

Leonard Feather also produced an "all female" session with Williams on Continental (I've got the 78s), with Mary Osborne, Marjorie Hyams on vibes, and Bridget O'Flynn on drums. Apparently, no female bassist was available, so Billy Taylor is listed on the labels as "Bea Taylor."

[Late]

The two medleys on this record are just beautiful. Highly recommended!

[Fabio Baglioni]

Sorry , but this Video-clip , is 'cut-short' on the ..drums  solo,.!!) - Mary Lou Williams,.p Trio ,w. Jo Jones, dr..Nice1978..- ,Trio ,Live Nice Jazz Festival ,.July,1978.. Nizza ,Live at ^ Grande Parade du Jazz.^. Trio with ,?bassist .. feat., JO JONES ,. drums .. t.,45..-

 

 

- , -

 

[Late]

On 12/3/2020 at 8:05 AM, Fabio Baglioni said:

bassist ... ?

I think that's Ronnie Boykins on bass?

[Fabio Baglioni]

18 hours ago, Late said:

I think that's Ronnie Boykins on bass?

.., Yes .,Yèèssss..!!, wowowowohh.,.!! 'Grazie' dear Mr. * Funk…, the *Bassit - name of..: Ronnie Boykins  is right and correct,.!!,. Surely bassist Boykins also plays in 'Quartet'..: Stan Getz ,Mary Lou , Mr. Boykins + J.C. Heard 'the drummer'.,!!,. Ciao , fabio .,Roma ,,-

- ,, -

[Late]

1936-1941 Decca sides. An essential compilation, I'd say.

[Late]

 

[AllenLowe]

9 hours ago, Late said:

 

I love Mary Lou, but playing that solo she reminds of Al Haig when he was trying to play in a "contemporary" way - the line never gets going and is built around repeated patterns. For her best playing I always go back to the '30s and '40s. She was always, harmonically, the hippest of the hip, but to my ears she never successfully made the rhythmic transition from swing to bebop to post-bop.

the energy us unfeigned - this was where she was comfortable.

and here; she was picking up the harmonies, post-Tatum, but when it came to line she needed the old-style feel:

 

[JSngry]

10 hours ago, Late said:

 

Full segment please. I LOVED To Tell The Truth!!!

[Peter Friedman]

14 hours ago, AllenLowe said:

I love Mary Lou, but playing that solo she reminds of Al Haig when he was trying to play in a "contemporary" way - the line never gets going and is built around repeated patterns. For her best playing I always go back to the '30s and '40s. She was always, harmonically, the hippest of the hip, but to my ears she never successfully made the rhythmic transition from swing to bebop to post-bop.

the energy us unfeigned - this was where she was comfortable.

and here; she was picking up the harmonies, post-Tatum, but when it came to line she needed the old-style feel:

 

Allen,

I saw The Mary Lou Williams Trio at a club in Detroit in (as best I can recall) the 80's.

I got the same impression  you have regarding her rhythmic approach to bebop & post-bop tunes.

  Can you suggest a recorded  example for Al Haig where he has trouble with a more contemporary tune?

I have noticed a similar rhythmic  situation when pre-Bop pianists play bop and post bop tunes. Ralph Sutton, Dick Hyman, Dick Wellstood are examples.

 

[medjuck]

On 12/25/2016 at 1:32 PM, mjzee said:

A bump for this thread.  Just listened to "Praise The Lord," the leadoff track from Live At The Cookery.  Such drive for a 65-year old pianist!  Bassist Brian Dorff can barely keep up with her.  Totally timeless.

Shit this just reminded me that I saw her at The Cookery.  I can't remember much about it. I better get that record.