Pamela Williams

For Pamela Williams (journalist), see Gold Walkley.
Pamela Williams
Also known as The Saxtress
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Smooth/contemporary jazz, R&B, smooth soul, Nu Jazz
Instruments Soprano/Alto Saxophone, Keyboard
Years active 1996–present
Labels Shanachie, Heads Up
Website Pamela Williams Homepage

Pamela Williams is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, songwriter, producer and painter. Williams exhibits diverse musical elements in her repertoire, including Nu Jazz, Funk, R&B, House, Latin and Pop. Williams is also known for her visual art.[1]

Biography

Williams grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was also the adopted hometown of an early influence of hers, Grover Washington, Jr. Playing with the Martin Luther King Jazz Ensemble at King High School in Philadelphia's historic Germantown section, Williams was required to embrace both electric jazz-funk and hardcore bebop. In 1996, she first found fame as a member of Patti LaBelle's backup band, furthering her subsequent career. Williams has toured with Teena Marie and performed with Prince, Babyface and Chante Moore. She has appeared in a music videos by artists ranging from Barry White ("Come On") to rapper/actress Queen Latifah ("Hard Times").[2]

In 1996 Williams made her recording debut, Saxtress, which was the "Top Contemporary Jazz Album", Billboard's Top 10 pick.[3] "The Secret Garden" includes guest performances by soul vocalists Regina Belle, Patti LaBelle, Taylor Dayne, and Teena Marie; the latter also heard on "Latin Lullaby." The album also earned Williams a nomination for the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and the title of "Best Female Contemporary Jazz Artist" in 1996. Her subsequent recordings include Eight Days of Ecstasy (1998), Evolution (2002) (on which Williams performed vocals and keyboards, along with alto and soprano saxophone), The Perfect Love (2003),[4] Sweet Saxations (2005), and Elixir (2006). In 2007 she recorded The Look of Love, featuring songs originally recorded by Dionne Warwick, and written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. In November 2009, Williams released a Nu Jazz CD, Chameleon, the first release from her own indie label Saxtress Entertainment.

Discography

Year Title Genre Label
1996 Saxtress Jazz Heads Up
1998 Eight Days of Ecstasy Jazz Heads Up
2002 Evolution R&B, Soul, Jazz Red Int / Red Ink
2003 The Perfect Love Jazz Shanachie
2005 Sweet Saxations Jazz Shanachie
2006 Elixir Jazz Shanachie
2006 Pamela Williams: A Night with the Saxtress Jazz Shanachie
2007 The Look of Love Funk Shanachie
2009 Chameleon Nu Jazz Saxtress Entertainment

References

  1. ↑ Pamela Williams Art Gallery
  2. ↑ SoundClick: Pamela Williams
  3. ↑ Billboard: Pamela Williams Artist Chart History
  4. ↑ eMusic: The Perfect Love by Pamela Williams

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, February 13, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.