Jessica Williams - The Art Of The Piano (2009)

In spite of an extensive discography, veteran pianist Jessica Williams seems to elude the world-wide attention that she deserves. This live solo recording at the Triple Door in Seattle in the spring of 2009 is one of her most impressive outings, beginning with her humorous, wide-ranging, improvised "Triple Door Blues," in which develops an infectious theme with many variations, while also working in hand-muting and strumming of the piano strings. The lush "Esperanza" sounds as if it could have been written for classical guitar, while the romantic ballad "Diane" merits lyrics to go along with it. Williams is equally adept interpreting familiar works. Her gently striding take of Impressionist Erik Satie's "First Gymnopedie" expands into a kaleidoscope of colors in her many variations, while her dramatic setting of John Coltrane's "Lonnie's Lament" detours into a series of insistent bass vamps that serve as the heartbeat of this masterful improvisation. It is little wonder that the audience that night at the Triple Door sat silently as Williams wowed them with her inventive improvising and formidable chops. Highly recommended! -- Ken Dryden