The Legend of Mary Lou

When I started working on my series of jazz artists the name Mary Lou Williams kept coming up. She was a pioneering figure, and was one of the first women to establish a successful career as an instrumentalist and composer in jazz.

Ms. Williams composed hundreds of pieces and arranged music for major bandleaders like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.

The reference photo shows her in a studio setting in New York City, circa 1947.

Oil on canvas, 24" x 24"