Mary Lou Williams quotes

Mary Lou Williams was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger celebrated for her innovative contributions to the genre. Her work spanned several eras of jazz, from swing and bebop to gospel-infused styles. She influenced countless musicians and remains a significant figure in the history of American music. Here are 6 of her quotes:

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

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

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

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