Cecilia Smith/The Mary Lou Williams Resurgence Project

Part of the recent revival of interest in the music and achievements of pianist Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981), New York-based vibraphonist/composer Cecilia Smith has dug deeper into the subject. Smith, who has worked with the likes of Greg Osby and Cecil Bridgewater researched the Williams’ original scores to arrange this homage. Her group, including pianist/organists Lafayette Harris Jr. and Carlton Holmes, bassist Kenny Davis, drummer Ron Savage and vocalist Carla Cook, perform arrangements of the pianist’s classics, unrecorded obscurities, Jazz standards and Smith’s own compositions. The idea is to present a fuller picture of the Kansas City Jazz-identified pianist’s legacy.

What stands out most is Williams adherence to the Blues tradition. This is expressed clearly in more than the relaxed groove Cook and the half-dive and half-devotional licks the keyboardists bring to tunes such as Williams’ “What’s Your Story Morning Glory?” and the standard “St. Louis Blues”. Standard Blues progression is enlivened with subtle counterpoint among churchy organ riffs, piano tinkles and contrapuntal four-mallet vibraphone emphasis. But the mood is also expressed in the two versions of Williams’ “Miss D.D” and Billy Taylor’s “It’s A Grand Night For Swinging” which the late pianist often recorded. With rapid vibe metal ringing, plus subtle two-handed boogie pumps and elevated bent-note tinkling from one or both of the pianists Blues legitimacy is maintained. Yet the tunes tricky turnarounds and subtle quotes also suggest Bop, which Williams helped nurture in its infancy.

This duality and the pianist’s foresightedness is most clearly expressed with the vibist’s own “ketch 1 – Truth Be Told For MLW”. On it the theme, underlined by Davis’ walking bass line, which adds a durable, almost endless repeated pulse throughout, often pivots to the Blues, yet also alternates with snatches of Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-ing” confirming Williams’ role as a Bop godmother.

Although there are ecclesiastical hints in some of the keyboard extensions, the Williams’ third interest, her spiritual leanings, aren’t fully explored here. Judging from Smith’s skill as a researcher and player, that’s likely to be considered on Volume 2. And considering this distinguished session, it’s companion disc should be superior as well.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Sketch 1 – Truth Be Told For MLW 2. What’s Your Story Morning Glory? 3. Miss D.D (Composed For Doris Duke) 4. Body And Soul 5..Sketch 3 – 100 Years Of MLW 6. Tell Me How Long The Train’s Been Gone 7. St. Louis Blues 8. Spiritual 2 – Who Was Mary Lou Williams? 9. It’s A Grand Night For Swinging 10. Miss D.D (Version 2)

Personnel: Lafayette Harris Jr. and Carlton Holmes (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Cecilia Smith (vibraphone); Kenny Davis (bass); Ron Savage (drums); Carla Cook (vocals); Sheila Anderson (recitation)