Deanna Witkowski (keys); Tony DePaolis (bass); Tom Wendt (drums)
Pianist-composer-jazz historian and Mary Lou Williams’ scholar Deanna Witkowski offers a poignant portrait of the pioneering jazz pianist-composer. Witkowski’s forthcoming album, Force of Nature (MCG Jazz, October) features all Williams compositions. This is a companion to Deanna Witkowski’s new biography of Mary Lou Williams, “Music for the Soul.”
Witkowski presents the full Mary Lou: “a forward-thinking, breathtakingly original pianist and
composer,” who mentored some of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century—including
Powell, Charlie Parker, and Art Blakey—and a deeply spiritual person who found solace in the
Catholic faith and believed in the healing power of jazz.
Hear Deanna play Williams’ tunes and read passages of the biography.
Deanna Witkowski, Mary Lou Williams
There are two ways to watch the program: in-person at our venue Alphabet City or live-streamed online. If you’re coming live, you can also dine at the in-house restaurant 40 North—before, during, or after the concert.
Please scroll to the bottom to review the Covid-19 safety policies for indoor programs @ Alphabet City, including the proof of vaccination requirement.
Covid-19 policies for indoor programs [at Alphabet City] as of September 1, 2021
To keep our audience safe, we will require proof of vaccination (physical card or photo) to attend all events at Alphabet City.
There will be special accommodations for children under 12 and people with medical conditions or religious beliefs preventing them from being vaccinated. These audience members will be asked to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the performance start time, or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time.
All guests will be required to wear masks.
Audience size will be limited to 60% total capacity and seats will be set up with moderate social distancing.
Please remember there is a restaurant, 40 North, inside our open concept venue. Diners will be required to show proof of vaccination but will not wear masks while seated at tables.