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Professor Tammy Kernodle's Soul on Soul is a passionate, engaging and frank discussion about the incredible yet still underappreciated life and music of Mary Lou Williams. As a Black woman, Mary Lou Williams pioneered several movements in contemporary jazz, including integrating classical music and gospel music into the work. In addition, Lou Williams worked closely with other legendary jazz artists like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie to shape the future of jazz.

What struck me again and again is Mary Lou William's tenacious spirit and belief in her craft. Faced with constant racism and sexism in her industry, Lou Williams rarely expressed her frustration. Instead she chose to return to work again and again despite the lack of financial reassurance that other contemporary male artists were receiving. There is something both incredibly hopeful and incredibly tragic in her story, in a society that refuses to invest in Black women's talent. What would the world of jazz music be like if Mary Lou Williams was encouraged and reached her full potential?

Overall, this is a thought provoking and well-written exploration of an incredible artist's life.