Jessica Williams - Jazz In The Afternoon (1998)

Live at Chemekata College, Oregon, February 8, 1998
This is Jessica William's third Candid album originally released in 2000, featuring her in the same trio context as her previous widely acclaimed "Higher Standards" set (CND #79736), but this time recorded "live" at a college in Oregon. Dave Brubeck "went to college" on Columbia Records some four decades ago, and likewise this album captures Jessica's trio in full flow, simply enjoying playing jazz to an appreciative audience. "Straight No Chaser" really typifies what Jessica is all about - a 13 minute romp through this Monk classic-chorus after chorus exploring one idea after another.
Review by John Bush
Recorded at a special afternoon series sponsored by Chemekata College in Oregon, Jazz in the Afternoon is a trio date, with Williams joined by Dave Captein on bass and Mel Brown on drums. The recording is surprisingly dense however, with Williams spraying notes all over on her solo for the Monk tune "Green Chimneys" which opens the set. Captein and Brown both sound enthused by the sprightly playing and keep up the pace admirably. Williams changes directions often, moving with a smooth grace from the stately "Light Blue" (another Monk piece) to a barreling "Straight, No Chaser" (ditto, obviously) to Gershwin's playful "Swanee." Her playing never falters throughout the 70-minute recording. Though Williams recorded several excellent live albums, Jazz in the Afternoon is another great addition to her discography.