I-435 West KC-KS in Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Mary Lou Williams

Pianist, Composer, Educator, Humanitarian

— Kansas City Jazz —

Mary Lou Williams Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. Mary Lou Williams Marker

Inscription. Self-taught pianist Mary Elfrieda Scruggs was born May 8, 1910 in Atlanta, Georgia. She grew up in Pittsburgh and played professionally as a child. At age 15 she joined the John Williams' Jazz Syncopators, and eventually married John. In April of 1930, Mary Lou became a regular member of Andy Kirk's band, breaking the barriers to women in jazz with her talent in arranging, composing and performing. May Lou promoted the Kansas City Swing style with more than 350 compositions and arrangements.

Erected by Legends Outlets.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1930.

Location. 39° 7.611′ N, 94° 49.67′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It is in I-435 West KC-KS. It can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1865 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City KS 66109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Southern Plains,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Barry Sanders (a few steps from this marker); Wilbur "Buck" Clayton (a few steps from this marker); Charlie "Bird' Parker (a

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few steps from this marker); Dorothy Gale (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward Dwight, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Bennie Moten (within shouting distance of this marker); Cpl. Lucas A. Frantz (within shouting distance of this marker); Coleman "Hawk" Hawkins (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Regarding Mary Lou Williams. This is one of several sidewalk plaques placed on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex, which highlight notable people and inventions that came from the state of Kansas.

Also see . . . Mary Lou Williams on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

2. Mary Lou Williams Marker

Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets complex.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.