1945 Radio Broadcast Recordings

The Mary Lou Williams Foundation is proud to share archival recordings from Mary Lou Williams’ Piano Workshop, a weekly program broadcast on New York’s WNEW radio station for three months in 1945. Featuring Williams and her closely connected trio, these broadcasts capture an extraordinary pianist, composer, and arranger bringing her musical vision to radio audiences. Her original compositions and interpretations of jazz standards reveal the range of her imagination, moving between intricate musical passages, playful exchanges, and expressive melodies. Throughout the collection, listeners can hear the virtuosity and responsiveness of an ensemble whose distinctive sound comes from both individual artistry and a shared musical understanding.

These recordings also preserve a significant chapter in American cultural history. At a time when racism and sexism limited opportunities for Black women in broadcasting and the arts, Williams’ presence at the center of her own radio program carried meaning beyond the music. Piano Workshop offered audiences the opportunity to hear a Black woman shaping the repertoire, leading an ensemble, and expressing her own artistic perspective. Listening today brings us closer to that achievement—and to the creativity, authority, and musical curiosity that define her enduring legacy. As with many historic recordings, sound quality varies, and some broadcasts contain audible noise or other imperfections. Even through those traces of age, Williams’ artistry and the vitality of the trio remain compelling. We invite you to explore these broadcasts as both memorable performances and a living connection to one of jazz’s most influential voices.