Atlanta Hears from A Jazz Pioneer

The legendary pianist, composer, and arranger, Mary Lou Williams gets the spotlight at the Cathedral of St. Philip

By Wanda Yang Temko

Atlanta, GA – Mary Lou Williams was long regarded as the only significant female musician in jazz, both as an instrumentalist and as a composer, but her achievement is remarkable by any standards. She was an important swing pianist, and by constantly exploring and extending her style she retained the status of a modernist for most of her career. Orchestra Atlanta's Music Director, Brent Runnels came by WABE to talk with Wanda Yang Temko, the host of Afternoon Classics.