Femme Film Fridays: Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band
Texas Spirit Theater | NR | 70 min. | Documentary
May 4, 2018 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Join the Bullock Museum for a screening and conversation about Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band.
Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band is a documentary about the life and music of this renowned jazz pianist, composer and arranger who has remained largely unknown.
Event Details
Mary Lou Williams was one of the greatest innovators of jazz during an era when jazz was the most popular form of music. Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band is a documentary that explores the life, work and ambitions of one of the 20th centuries' leading jazz musicians and savants, Mary Lou Williams. A woman bathed in talent and expertise, Mary Lou Williams fought to convince and claim an identity in the music world and paved the way for many women who followed her.
This screening is part of Femme Film Fridays, a film series highlighting the cinematic works of women, both behind and in front of the camera. Now in its second season, all the films for the 2017-2018 season address ideas of identity. This evening's program includes a film screening with Q&A to follow with musician and educator Akina Adderley. Prior to the feature film screening will be two episodes from Doyin Oyeniyi and Evelyn Ngugi's series, Austin While Black. Come early at 6pm for a welcome reception with cash bar and FREE drink samples.
Please note: Entrance for this screening will be at the IMAX Lobby doors.
Your ticket purchase supports the Bullock Museum's exhibitions and educational programming.
Rating: NR
Suggested age: 13+
Starring: Alfre Woodard (voice of Mary Lou Williams)
Director: Carol Bash
Runtime: 70 min.
Genre: Documentary
Release year: 2015
"She was more than just there—she was one of the key developers of the musical ideas of these eras, and she did more than just remain up-to-date; from era to era, she surpassed herself." - Richard Brody (The New Yorker on Mary Lou Williams)
Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band, Winner of 'Best Documentary' by HBO in 2015, features Academy Award-nominated actress Alfre Woodard as the narrated voice of Mary Lou Williams and contemporary musical performances by Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Carmen Lundy, Esperanza Spalding, and a big band conducted by Wycliffe Gordon.
Carol Bash (Producer/Director) is the Founder and President of Paradox Films. She has over 15 years of experience in media production, with a solid background in independent filmmaking and broadcast journalism. Carol has worked with several prestigious documentary production companies in roles ranging from producer, director, cinematographer, coordinating producer, archival researcher and associate producer. Most notably, she worked with Firelight Films on Freedom Riders, which won three Primetime Emmy Awards and premiered on American Experience; Two-Tone Productions on Banished, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and aired on Independent Lens; Kunhardt Productions on the groundbreaking four-part PBS series African American Lives; and with Firelight Films on A Place of Our Own, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and was broadcast on Independent Lens. In addition, Carol has produced and directed several short promotional films for PBS, World Channel, and non-profit organizations. Prior to her career as an independent filmmaker, she worked in broadcast television at CBS News and the BBC.
Austin While Black is a web series sharing the stories of Black Austinites. Screening this evening will be Episode 1: Hakeem Adewumi and Episode 4: China Smith.
Filmmakers, Doyin Oyeniyi and Evelyn Ngugi are two UT Austin journalism graduates.
Photo courtesy FumFum KO.
“Jazz is in Akina Adderley’s blood, and it flows with a warm mix of old-school soul and R&B.” –Margaret Moser, The Austin Chronicle
Akina Adderley is a vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, conductor, and educator based in Austin, Texas. Nicknamed “the little woman with the big voice,” Akina currently fronts three projects: her 5-piece jazz-rooted neo-soul band, Akina Adderley and the Upper East Side; her 8-piece horn-driven soul band, Akina Adderley & The Vintage Playboys (with whom she has released two records), and jazz/folk/world outfit, Nori (with whom she has released an EP and a debut full-length record). Akina has performed all over the country and has shared bills with Booker T., Budos Band, Bob Schneider, Gary Clark, Jr., Alejandro Escovedo, Pinetop Perkins, Carolyn Wonderland, and Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and she has sung backing vocals on the albums of Charlie Mars and Gregg Rolie (of Santana and Journey). Sometimes a soul singer, sometimes a jazz songstress, Akina will always move you with what the Austin American Statesman calls her “rich, emotive pipes.” Akina is also the Music Director at the Griffin School. Look out for a new Nori album later this year, as well as new music from The Upper East Side and The Vintage Playboys!
The Texas Spirit Theater located on the Bullock Museum's second floor is one of the most beautiful film experiences in Austin and features multi-sensory special effects such as lightning, rain, and other surprises.
Museum Members enjoy free unlimited IMAX® documentary films, discounts on feature film tickets, free exhibition admission, discounts in the Museum Store, and more. Learn More.
Learn about ticket prices, refund policies, and parking (free after 5 pm). For evening programs, please enter through the Bullock Museum IMAX Theatre.
Femme Film Fridays is presented in partnership with Women & Their Work.
Media sponsorship for Femme Film Fridays is provided by Austin Woman Magazine.
Alcohol sponsorship for Femme Film Fridays is provided by Austin Cocktails.
