Trio 3 played five evenings together with pianist Geri Allen in the New York jazz club Birdland, paying homage to the jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams. They presented fresh and individualistic interpretations of some of the most beautiful pieces of the “First Lady of Jazz”. Intakt has recorded these evenings. Mary Lou Williams was one of the most famous pianists of swing. She wrote arrangements for Duke Ellington and played in countless bands and orchestras. Her music grew from ragtime over swing and blues, but was also geared to modern harmony. Within the same year she performed in Carnegie Hall as a duo with pianist Cecil Taylor as well as with Benny Goodman. Today many of her compositions belong to the canon of African-American music. The four greats of today’s jazz, Saxophoneophonist Oliver Lake, bassist Reggie Workman, drummer Andrew Cyrille and the pianist Geri Allen deliver their interpretation of legendary compositions like Roll ‘Em, New Musical Express or What’s Your Story, Morning Glory. The musicians have a close relationship to Mary Lou Williams. In his early years Andrew Cyrille was drumming in Mary Lou Williams’ band. And pianist Geri Allen played the role of Mary Lou Williams in Robert Altman’s movie Kansas City.

Cover art: Oliver Lake
Graphic design: Jonas Schoder
Liner notes: Peter O’Brian, Geri Allen, Andrew Cyrille
Photos: Richard Candy

All compositions by Mary Lou Williams except Intermission by Mary Lou Williams and Milton Suggs. Compostions published by Cecilia Music Publishing Co., except Roll’Em by EMI-Universal. Recorded August 19, 21, 2010 by Peter Karl at Birdland Jazzclub New York. Mixed and mastered 2011 by Peter Karl, Andrew Cyrille and Oliver Lake at Studio Peter Karl, Brooklyn, NY. Mastered by Peter Karl at Studio Peter Karl. Produced by Intakt Records, Patrik Landolt