Black History

Mary Lou Williams: Jazz Pioneer and Composer Extraordinaire

Mary Lou Williams was born on May 8, 1910, in Atlanta, and passed away on May 28, 1981, in Durham, N.C. Her influence extended far beyond the fame her extraordinary piano skills brought her. Williams’s innovative compositions, exceptional virtuosity, and unwavering dedication to her craft made her a trailblazer in a male-dominated genre.

Published

4 months ago

January 8, 2024

Oakland Post

Born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs, Williams displayed remarkable musical talent from a young age. Raised in Pittsburgh, she began playing the piano at three years old and was performing publicly by the age of six.

By Tamara Shiloh

During her teenage years, Williams performed at local clubs and theaters in Pittsburgh, often sharing the stage with notable musicians of the era, including saxophonist Lester Young and trumpeter Tommy Thigpen.

In the 1920s, Williams’s jazz career took off as she joined saxophonist John Williams’ band. This marked the beginning of an illustrious journey, during which she gained recognition for her skillful piano playing and her talent for arranging music for big bands. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Williams collaborated with jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Andy Kirk.

As jazz evolved in the 1950s and 1960s, so did Williams. She embraced the bebop movement and explored new musical forms. Her composition “In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee” is considered an early example of a bebop composition by a female jazz artist.

Williams also played a crucial role in mentoring young jazz musicians. Her Harlem apartment became a hub for emerging talents like Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and Charlie Parker. She provided guidance and encouragement, helping these musicians refine their skills and contribute to the development of modern jazz.

Rediscovered in the 1970s after a brief hiatus from the jazz scene, Williams continued to perform and record music. Her later works, including “Zodiac Suite” and “My Mama Pinned a Rose on Me,” showcased her evolving style and creativity.

Williams received numerous awards and honors, including the Kennedy Center Honors in 1980, becoming the second jazz musician to receive that prestigious accolade after Duke Ellington. Additionally, the Mary Lou Williams Foundation, established in her honor, continues to promote jazz education and support emerging musicians.

Williams was a jazz pioneer who broke barriers as a female musician and left a lasting mark on the genre. Her ability to compose, perform and inspire the next generation of jazz talent solidify her legacy as one of the most influential figures in jazz history. Williams will forever be remembered as a trailblazing musical genius who pushed the boundaries of jazz, leaving a lasting impression that continues to influence musicians today.

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Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

4 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.