Mary Lou Williams - (People of God) by Deanna Witkowski (Paperback)

Mary Lou Williams: Music for the Soul is a comprehensive biography of the legendary jazz pianist-composer, detailing her life, music, and spiritual journey.

Written by fellow jazz pianist-composer and convert to Catholicism Deanna Witkowski, this book offers a fresh perspective on Williams's musical and corporal acts of mercy, her decades-long letter correspondence with various women religious, and her tireless efforts to perform jazz in churches, community centers, concert halls, and schools.

With meticulous research and a deep love for Williams's work, Witkowski illuminates the passionate mantra that "jazz is healing to the soul." The book explores Williams's historical context, including the evolution of jazz music in America, the challenges African American musicians faced, and her own spiritual journey.

Witkowski's extensive musical knowledge and identity as a fellow Catholic enable her to empathize with Williams's struggles and triumphs, making this biography a labor of love. Mary Lou Williams: Music for the Soul is an engrossing tale filled with cliffhangers, foreshadowing, tragic losses, psychic and religious visions, and unexpected intrusions of grace.

It is also a testament to the power of music to heal and inspire, as seen in Williams's decades-long commitment to sharing her gift with others. With its well-crafted narrative and richly detailed portrayal of a remarkable woman and her work, Mary Lou Williams: Music for the Soul is sure to captivate readers interested in jazz, music history, spirituality, and the lives of extraordinary women.