Mary Lou Hallelujah and Undying Dizzy Love

Dig Mary Lou holding her heavyweight Harlem bop salon circa 1947.  I just came across this photo taken in Mary Lou William’s apartment by William Gotlieb (also here we have Tad Dameron, Hank Jones and bassist and arranger Milton Orent) and got a chill daydreaming about the fierce and avant-garde visionary, Ms. Mary Lou (please check out Tammy Kernodle’s biography: Soul on Soul: The Life and Music of Mary Lou Williams).  I’ve also been on a Dizzy kick, appreciating his constant Baha’i -like inclusion of everyone in his sacred creative circle, from Melba Liston and Mary Lou to the constant global support of musicians from Chano to Gonzalo Rubalcaba.  My apologies for the infrequent posts–in transition from Boston to Philadelphia, more soon–still I had to take a moment and shout hallelujah for the majesty of my elders caught here looking so fine and mellow.