Mary Lou Williams Professions : Jazz Pianist Born : May 8, 1910 Died : May 28, 1981 Browse All Authors Top 13 quotes by Mary Lou Williams I wonder what an agent would do if he had to travel with the band he's booking. Mary Lou Williams agents band music It's not what you play, it's how you play it. Mary Lou Williams play Anything you are shows up in your music - jazz is whatever you are, playing yourself, being yourself, letting your thoughts come through. Mary Lou Williams playing-yourself being-yourself musical Many people forget that Jazz, no matter what form it takes, must come from the heart as well as the mind. Mary Lou Williams music heart people If you work on your talent, the plans will fall in automatically. Mary Lou Williams plans talent fall During the years I was with Andy Kirk we starved almost. I remember not eating for practically a month several times. But we were very, very happy because the music was so interesting, and you forgot to eat, anyway. Mary Lou Williams struggle years interesting One way and another I was having a ball - playing gigs, jamming and listening to fine musicians. Then came a crisis at home. My stepfather fell sick, and it meant I had to support the family. Mary Lou Williams support sick home 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 music mother long 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 wouldnt 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 house play love 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 mother home night 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 party play night He explained how ridiculous the clowning was, and there and then I decided to settle down and play seriously. Mary Lou Williams seriously down how play When Seymour saw me seated at the piano at that first rehearsal, he shouted: 'What's that kid doing here? Call your piano player and let's get started.' Mary Lou Williams your doing kid me Similar Authors Brad Mehldau jazz-pianist Andrew Hill jazz-pianist Art Tatum jazz-pianist Alice Coltrane jazz-pianist Billy Taylor jazz-pianist Ahmad Jamal jazz-pianist All Authors
