Morning Glory: A Biography of Mary Lou Williams

by Linda Dahl

Mary Lou Williams―pianist, arranger, composer, and probably the most influential woman in the history of jazz―receives the attention she has long deserved in this definitive biography.

Genres: Music, Biography, Jazz, Nonfiction, History

465 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jeff Crompton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a magnificent biography of a towering, yet still underrated figure in jazz. Mary Lou Williams lived and played through much of the history of jazz, and created music of the highest quality throughout her career. Dahl's book is worthy of its subject; it's well-researched, readable, and gives a real sense of Ms. Williams' personality, and of the circumstances of her life.

The real surprise, to me, was that Williams' life was so difficult and unhappy. Her wonderful, assured music was created against a backdrop of poverty, abusive and/or difficult relationships, and loneliness. Dahl's book chronicles it all. If you aren't put off by the length (well over 400 pages), I highly recommend this one to readers who admire Mary Lou Williams' music or who enjoy good biographical writing.

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well deep and detailed book that makes you connect with probably the greatest jazzwoman
of Jazz History.
I really liked the deep documentation work, the availability of personal letters, the deep insight into such a wonderful personality.
It was a great journey accompanied by the earphones with Spotify and the mentioned work by Ms. Williams. Great experience.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full detail. She knew everyone in the jazz age. Ripped off from royalties. I met her at Duke when I took her jazz class. She didn’t teach, her manager did. But she played at class beginning. Awesome!

[Marguerite Hargreaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jazz pioneer Mary Lou Williams is a fascinating subject for a biography. I'd never heard of her, and neither had my husband, who knows a lot more about the genre than I. But her story grows somewhat tedious here -- maybe because of the inclusion of detail that doesn't advance understanding. Writing about music is tricky, if the words don't help the reader hear. I was able to find videos and music to supply the soundtrack I wanted. Better words would have accomplished the same thing. I'm disappointed in the treatment of Williams' religious conversion. There's nothing about the mysterious appeal of liturgy, but a lot about the kookier elements of Williams' faith. Linda Dahl's biography is worthwhile, probably more so for jazz fans. But, biography fans will find something here to like, too.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a street named after her in Kansas City, but still, such a puzzle, why this woman is not better known. One would think that the most formidable female in the male dominated world of instrumental jazz would have ended up with more recognition. Who else was on the cutting edge of the music from Swing to Bebop to Avant-Garde and Funk? Who else could say they'd traveled with the territory bands decades before exploring the outer limits with the likes of Cecil Taylor? As the author points out, Mary was known for playing in a way more manly than most men, and she was proud of it. She was a devout Catholic who even hired a priest as her manager. Linda Dahl's book is the first - and best - biography of "The Lady Who Swings the Band."

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a life she had!