For The Centennial Clebration of Mary Lou Williams

Despite the centenary of Mary Lou Williams (pictured), take place in May next year, the staff of Jazz at Lincoln Center will begin its celebration this year. Starting in November, the built by Wynton Marsalis is honoring the legendary pianist with various events, from concerts, lectures and even a contest "You're the Next Mary Lou Williams?".

The start will take place on 6 and 7 November with "Jazz for Young People" with a program called "Who is Mary Lou Williams?" With Marsalis and the J @ LC Orchestra "as hosts. A week later Marsalis and the orchestra will return to a concert with special guest pianists Geri Allen and Geoffrey Keezer, to celebrate the centenary of Mary Lou Williams. These performances will take place on 13 and 14 November in the "Rose Hall".

Perhaps most unusual is the contest with the curious title "You're the Next Mary Lou Williams?". Although an obvious reference to TV channels that plague today, the title leads us to question why there would be another Ms . Williams, a natural person and artist. Williams had a career that can not be easily compared with other jazz artist and is hard to imagine her participation in a contest when she was young to be, say, the next James P. Johnson or Count Basie. Despite this, women who play piano and have up to fifteen years of age are encouraged to submit a video of a song by Williams, to have a chance to play with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis as part of the aforementioned concert "Jazz for Young People", "Who is Mary Lou Williams?" Entries close on 14th October. For more information visit the Jazz at Lincoln Center. "

And there's more. In January and February, the entrepreneur and spiritual guide of Mary Lou Williams, Father Peter O'Brien, will give a course in "Swing University" on the life and music of Williams. Finally, the "Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band will donate 4500 booklet on the music of Mary Lou Williams to high schools in the United States. In these booklets are "New Musical Express," "Roll 'Em" and "Walkin' and Swingin '." The program will culminate with the annual event "Ellington Competition & Festival" on the anniversary of Williams, 08 May 2010.

Our admiration and respect for the artistic director Marsalis and his associates for their efforts to draw attention to this often forgotten giant of jazz piano. For those wishing to undertake other festivities, we recommend the interesting book by Linda Dahl on Williams, "Morning Glory, A Biography of Mary Lou Williams, extracts of which were published in the March 2000 issue of JazzTimes.
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