',...And Then, There',s This!',

Jazz / Bop, Post-BopJessica Williams -Piano, MasteringJohn Wiitala - BassKenny Wollesen - DrumsAnne Dejong A&RJoost Leijen Art Direction, DesignKirt Shearer Mastering, Engineer This wonderful little gem features pianist Jessica Williams in trio on a set of six originals, a couple of pieces by Thelonious Monk, and one each by George Gershwin and Irving Berlin. What makes the recording so appealing is Williams" exquisite sense of rhythm and stunning technique, and drummer Kenny Wollensen"s outstanding drumming. Williams uses both hands across the whole keyboard. Her style is instantly recognizable, as her bold and confident strokes and ability to move rapidly contrast with a sometimes delicate approach. She seems highly attuned to Monk, and her successful takes of "Bemsha Swing" and "I Mean You" shed new light on the songs" quirky melodies and harmonies. Her own compositions are special, too, with attractive and often catchy lines. Her "The House That Rouse Built," a clever double entendre, and "Newk"s Fluke" are particularly fascinating. With the dearth of really fine piano albums in the "90s, it is surprising that Ms. Williams did not receive more attention. This album is one of the finest examples of creative piano performance of that decade. ~ Steven Loewy, All Music GuideJessica WilliamsActive Decades: "70s, "80s, "90s and "00sBorn: Mar 17, 1948 in Baltimore, MDGenre: JazzStyles: Post-BopDue to her being based in northern California, Jessica Williams is a bit underrated, but (on evidence of her sets for Jazz Focus and Hep) she is one of the top jazz pianists of today. Williams is a powerful virtuoso whose complete control of the keyboard, wit, solid sense of swing, and the influence of Thelonious Monk have combined to make her a particularly notable player. She started taking piano lessons when she was four and was gigging as a teenager. Williams took extensive classical lessons but also gigged with Philly Joe Jones in Philadelphia before moving to San Francisco in 1977. She was the house pianist at Keystone Korner for a time and made a few interesting recordings (some as Jessica Jennifer Williams) during the period, sometimes utilizing electronics. Although she appeared on Charlie Rouse"s final record and gigged steadily, Williams was largely off record (outside of her own private Quanta label) until re-emerging in the late "80s as a brilliant solo acoustic player. She is a giant whose many dates for Jazz Focus (five of its first ten releases feature Williams) and Hep are consistently brilliant. ---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

• 1.
• Bemsha Swing

• 2.
• ...and Then, There"s This!

• 3.
• All Alone

• 4.
• Nichol"s Bag

• 5.
• The Child Within

• 6.
• Elaine

• 7.
• The House That Rouse Built

• 8.
• Newk"s Fluke

• 9.
• Swanee

• 10.
• I Mean You