Mary Lou Williams: The lady who swings the band & music pictures: New Orleans
(DVD)

Director, Carol Bash, Ben Chace.

Eddie Allen, Geri Allen, Louis Armstrong, Ellis Marsalis, Benny Jones Sr., Little Freddie King.

Experience the essence of jazz and blues in two captivating documentaries! Music Pictures: New Orleans by Ben Chace features legends like Irma Thomas and Ellis Marsalis, while Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band. She was ahead of her time, a genius. During an era when Jazz was the nation's popular music, Mary Lou Williams was one of its greatest innovators. As both a pianist and composer, she was a font of daring and creativity who helped shape the sound of 20th century America. And like the dynamic, turbulent nation in which she lived; Williams seemed to redefine herself with every passing decade. New Orleans gives us legacy portraits and rare backstage access into the lives and craft of four New Orleans music legends: "The Soul Queen of New Orleans" Irma Thomas, Little Freddie King, Ellis Marsalis, and The Treme Brass Band. Now in their 80s, these local masters continue their practice, for the love of music, in the city that made them who they are. New Orleans follows these four artists one by one as they rehearse, perform and talk about their lives as it celebrates 100 years of New Orleans musical history with rare historical footage and testimonies.

DVD.

English audio.