Jazzmoose Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 I don't know if anyone else here is a fan of this pianist, but I picked this up this week and I love it. The strange thing is, my wife loves it too. It reminds of of those weird "rate this record" things on the AMG website. She describes it as "nice and relaxing". I describe it as "hot and exciting". One of us is nuts; I wonder which one? It's on the Maxjazz label, one of their few (at this time) nonvocal discs. I must admit, this label is showing up on my shelves more and more... Anyway, I recommend this disc, and I'm wondering if anyone else here has given it a try. Quote
RonF Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 One more reason why MaxJazz has become such a fine label....bringing Jessica Williams into the spotlight. Finally getting the recognition she deserves. I really like Alone, Moose. A lot! And, you would also enjoy This Side Up, her trio release on MaxJazz last year - with Ray Drummond and Victor Lewis. It has 8 of her wonderful compositions plus a killer version of Rahsaan Roland Kirk's Theme For The Eulipians. B) Quote
randissimo Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 Jazzmoose said: I don't know if anyone else here is a fan of this pianist, but I picked this up this week and I love it. The strange thing is, my wife loves it too. It reminds of of those weird "rate this record" things on the AMG website. She describes it as "nice and relaxing". I describe it as "hot and exciting". One of us is nuts; I wonder which one? It's on the Maxjazz label, one of their few (at this time) nonvocal discs. I must admit, this label is showing up on my shelves more and more... Anyway, I recommend this disc, and I'm wondering if anyone else here has given it a try. Jessica Williams is weird but a genius... I had the opportunity to work 2 nights with her at Yoshi's when I lived in Oakland, Ca in 1987.. Often if there was any distraction going on with the audience she would stop playing and walk to the edge of the stage and just stand there staring at the people making the noise... This happened the first night I played with her. It was one of the most challenging gigs of my career! Quote
RonF Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 randissimo said: Often if there was any distraction going on with the audience she would stop playing and walk to the edge of the stage and just stand there staring at the people making the noise... Incredible! The intimidator! I'll bet they stopped making noise. B) Quote
pepe Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 I'm a big fan - I have quite a few of her (mostly) solo recordings, and I hired her for a festival I'm involved in in the early nineties. She gave a fantastic solo concert (no need to stare at the audience, the only sound they made were sounds of approval). After the concert I talked to a couple who had travelled more than 600 miles to see her and they would come back next year if JW was invited again. (She might have been, but some back problems temporarily kept her inactive). Quote
randissimo Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 pepe said: I'm a big fan - I have quite a few of her (mostly) solo recordings, and I hired her for a festival I'm involved in in the early nineties. She gave a fantastic solo concert (no need to stare at the audience, the only sound they made were sounds of approval). After the concert I talked to a couple who had travelled more than 600 miles to see her and they would come back next year if JW was invited again. (She might have been, but some back problems temporarily kept her inactive). Pepe, Are you involved now with festival promoting? Organissimo is trying to hook up with as many festival venues as possible for next Summer. if you can help in any way it would be much appreciated. Quote
Peter Johnson Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 Not to hijack the thread, but I'd LOVE to see you guys in Philly--and I'm sure I'm not alone! Peter Quote
Joe G Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 Thanks Peter! Jim just sent out some info to Chris' Jazz Cafe and Zanzibar Blue to see about getting in there. Know anything about these joints? Quote
Peter Johnson Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 Chris' Jazz Cafe is probably more suited to your guys' style. Zanzibar has been hijacked by the clear channel/smooth jazz types, and brings in acts such as "Tuck & Patti", "Euge Groove", "Chris Botti", and the like. But I strongly recommend you get in touch with Ortlieb's Jazz Haus where Mickey Roker, the completely SICK drummer with more than a few BN records under his belt continues to hold court with his quartet. Among others, I've heard Donald Byrd guest here within the last two years. It's a little gritty, with pretty decent food and a great vibe. It would be perfect for you guys--don't know how much they can pay, though... Generally, what sort of venues are you looking for? Quote
pepe Posted June 18, 2003 Report Posted June 18, 2003 (edited) Randissimo - re festivals - I'm not actively involved on a day to day basis any more, but I still follow the activities pretty close. I'm talking about European festivals, and problem with them is that no matter how good you are, you need to have a name and/or some management/agency/record company to put in some money and do some tour planning. I mean - even for this summer the festival I'm involved in as early as September last year signaled that we wanted to have Jason Moran and tried to interest other European festivals so that a European tour of a couple of weeks could be planned. OK, there are some Europe gigs for JM, but not the extensive tour he deserves, which only goes to show that many festival arrangers are not interested in building new names, they prefer to pay extensive fees for Jarrett, Rollins, Krall a.o., lamenting that Dizzy and Miles are gone instead of supporting a new generation. Re Jessica Williams, she was solo, and we could afford to bring her over only for our festival (no other festival we talked to was interested, many of them hardly knew her name) sharing the travel costs with a small jazz club in Britain. If you really are interested in Europe, I think it would be wise to start trying to promote yourself towards the North Sea Festival in Holland, they're the biggest European summer festival, they hire hundreds of US-groups every year, and they're part of a union of the major European festivals - getting in with them might give possibillities for openings elsewhere in Europe. It will mean hard work, however - but it might be worth it - the only way to "fame and fortune" is to get out there and play for the people. Sorry I can't be of more help. I guess you find details of major European festivals on the net, if not I can supply a number of them if neccessary. Edited June 18, 2003 by pepe Quote
randissimo Posted June 19, 2003 Report Posted June 19, 2003 Pepe, Thanks for the info and your time. Right now we are trying to find a bigger label, management, bookings, and a good distribution deal for our Cd. We have a jazz festival booking in Clearwater Florida Oct 18th and are going to try and book venues there and back as well as possible gigs in the Tampa Bay area. If you have any numbers you could pass on we'd sure appreciate it. In fact if anyone reading this post has any ideas we'd love to hear from you.... Quote
Joe G Posted June 19, 2003 Report Posted June 19, 2003 Likewise, thanks for the tips Peter. Looks like we'll be avoiding Zanzibar - that shit gives me the willies! (Although there's nothing wrong with Tuck Andress.) Generally, the type of venues we look for are the ones that will hire us! But listening rooms are preferred over restaurants, unless it's like a rib joint that's known for jazz. But we'll certainly be checking into those rooms. Hope to see you soon! Joe Quote
shrugs Posted July 3, 2003 Report Posted July 3, 2003 check out Portraits on Adelphi. great music. Quote
Jazzmoose Posted July 7, 2003 Author Report Posted July 7, 2003 Will do. My Williams "collection" right now consists of this one, Jessica's Blues and an appearance on Interplay by the Tom Peron/Bud Spangler Quartet (which I absolutely love!). Quote
shrugs Posted July 10, 2003 Report Posted July 10, 2003 I see the 2 lp Portraits set on e-bay from time to time and it doesn't seem to get any bids. Quote
Jim R Posted February 26, 2004 Report Posted February 26, 2004 I was about to start a new Jessica Williams thread, but since I found this one I'll bring it back up for air. This morning, on KCSM, I heard a track ("I Remember Dexter") from her THIS SIDE UP (Maxjazz) CD. It was one of those things where I knew before the track was over (and before I knew who it was) that I was going to buy the CD, asap. I've known about JW for several years, and I've been impressed with what I've heard (mostly Monk material), but I've never gotten around to making a purchase or really exploring her work. That situation is going to change, very soon. If the rest of the CD is as good as the track I heard (and I expect it will be), I think I'm about to develop yet another pianist pa$$ion (I hope to God I can find some used copies, or I'm in big trouble...) Quote
EKE BBB Posted March 1, 2004 Report Posted March 1, 2004 You can order Jessica Williams´s discs directly from her, at her official website: JESSICA WILLIAMS: PIANIST, COMPOSER Quote
jlhoots Posted March 2, 2004 Report Posted March 2, 2004 Going to hear her live (solo) in Albuquerque on March 8. Looking forward to it. Quote
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