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 m…

- Mary Lou Williams

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,…

- Mary Lou Williams

If you work on your talent, the plans will fall in automatically.

- Mary Lou Williams

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 m…

- Mary Lou Williams

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 be…

- Mary Lou Williams

I wonder what an agent would do if he had to travel with the band he's booking.

- Mary Lou Williams

It's not what you play, it's how you play it.

- Mary Lou Williams

Many people forget that Jazz, no matter what form it takes, must come from the heart as well as the mind.

- Mary Lou Williams

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