Jessica Williams (musician)

Jessica Williams

Jessica Williams, pianist and composer
Background information
Born (1948-03-17) March 17, 1948
Origin Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres Jazz, improvisation, electronic music
Instruments Piano
Years active 1960s–present
Labels Red and Blue Records, Candid Records, Concord Records, Maxjazz Records, Timeless Records, Jazz Focus Records, Landmark/Fantasy Records
Website jessicawilliams.com

Jessica Williams (born March 17, 1948) is an American pianist and composer who has deep roots in jazz. She has been called "one of the top jazz pianists of today."[1]

Early life

Williams was born in Baltimore, Maryland.[2] She began her music career young, taking piano lessons at the age of four and began classical training at the Peabody Conservatory of Music when she was seven.[1][3] She moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during her teens and began playing with the quintet of Philly Joe Jones, the former Miles Davis drummer.

Later life and career

In 1977, Williams moved to San Francisco, California, where she played in various house bands, such as for Eddie Harris, Dexter Gordon, Tony Williams, and Stan Getz. She also became the house pianist for Keystone Korner. She recorded for Candid, Fantasy, Timeless, Concord, Jazz Focus, Hep, and MaxJazz record labels. She began her own record label in 1997, called Red and Blue Recordings, on which to release her own original material. She also owns her own publishing company, JJW Music, and runs her own internet CD mail-order business.

She is a three-time Grammy Award Nominee and holds a Fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation for composition.

She appeared at the 2004 and 2006 "Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festivals" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C..

Recognition

Selected discography

Jessica Williams, pianist and composer. This photo (by E Arc) appeared on the cover of her 2004 solo release for Hep Records, The Real Deal.

References

  1. 1 2 Scott Yanow. "Jessica Williams". Retrieved 2007-02-19.
  2. ↑ Dundalk remembers during Women's History Month Retrieved 2014-10-23.
  3. ↑ "Introducing Jessica Williams". Retrieved 2007-02-19.

External links

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