This is Jessica Williams’s second album for Hep and is a real stunner; having had the pleasure of hearing every album this extraordinarily talented player has made, I’m convinced that this is her best yet.
The programme begins and ends with two compositions by the Prince of Darkness himself – Weirdo is a blues, but as Jessica points out, without the usual blues changes. Pfrancing was originally intended as a balance test and was the first tune recorded, but it swung so well that it was decided to use it. In between are two Jessica Williams originals, For You Again, dedicated to a ‘very special friend’ and I Remember Bill – Evans that is, with whom she shared an engagement (she was house pianist) at the Keystone Korner Club in San Francisco, shortly before Evans died.
There are two standards, Cheek To Cheek and A Gal In Calico, her version of which is outrageous in both concept and execution, full of witty exchanges between the pianist and her colleagues.
Stevie Wonder’s pretty ballad I Really Love You gets a quiet, tender treatment, with exceptional use of dynamics from the pianist, and bass and drums take a rest as Jessica gives Ghost Of A Chance a solo workout, which reflects a longstanding admiration for the work of Thelonious Monk Esq.
Alistair Robertson produced this marvellous album with Jessica and asked Dave Brubeck and Mike Davis, long time champion of her cause, to write the notes. Looking for a different approach, Mike arranged for a transatlantic phone call with Jessica, using the conversation to explain her ambitions, methods and attitude in general and her feelings about this session in particular.
With every track a winner, the overall effect is overwhelming and any attempt to describe the playing fails to do justice to this superb music – so buy and listen.
Such is Jessica’s confidence in her own ability and technique that nothing is too difficult to attempt – although stylistically a million miles apart, I was forcibly reminded of Earl Hines in the twenties and thirties, who often set himself impossible challenges at the keyboard and always triumphed. Jessica’s playing is full of such challenges, and she was fortunate enough to have on hand the hard-swinging and listening Dick Berk on drums and an outstanding young emerging talent in bassist Jeff Johnson; great technique, superb tone and a clear concept of the role of the bass in this demanding musical situation.
No-one is playing more creative jazz piano today and few pianists in any field can play the instrument so beautifully, with a fabulous touch. Jessica Williams will be appearing at the Glasgow Jazz Festival, July 1-8, 1994 – I will be there! Consider this a rave review.
Discography
(1) Weirdo; A Gal In Calico; I Really Love You; Driftin’; For You Again; Cheek To Cheek; I Remember Bill; (2) Ghost Of A Chance; (1) Pfrancing (66.42)
(1) Jessica Williams (p); Jeff Johnson (b); Dick Berk (d). White Horse Studio, Portland, Oregon, July 28, 1993.
(2) Same venue, April 6, 1993.
(Hep CD 2055)
