Pamela Williams

Pamela Williams
Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Smooth jazz
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Saxophone
Years active 1996–present
Labels Shanachie, Heads Up
Website www.pamelawilliamsthesaxtress.com

Pamela Williams is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, songwriter, producer, and painter. Williams exhibits diverse musical elements in her repertoire, including nu Jazz, funk, R&B, house, Latin and pop. She is also known for her visual art.[1] Williams at times features George Freeman, Jr., contemporary jazz pianist as her music director.[2] Currently Williams tours all around the world.

Biography

Williams grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was also the adopted hometown of an early influence of hers, Grover Washington, Jr. Playing with the Martin Luther King Jazz Ensemble at King High School in Philadelphia's historic Germantown section, Williams was required to embrace both electric jazz-funk and hardcore bebop. In 1996, she first found fame as a member of Patti LaBelle's backup band, furthering her subsequent career. Williams has toured with Teena Marie and performed with Prince, Babyface and Chante Moore. She has appeared in music videos by artists ranging from Barry White ("Come On") to rapper/actress Queen Latifah ("Hard Times").[3]

In 1996, Williams made her recording debut, Saxtress, which was the "Top Contemporary Jazz Album", Billboard's Top 10 pick.[4] A cover of Quincy Jones' "The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)" includes guest performances by female soul vocalists Pat Peterson, Patti LaBelle, and Teena Marie; Teena Marie also heard on "Latin Lullaby." The album also earned Williams a nomination for the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and the title of "Best Female Contemporary Jazz Artist" in 1996. Her subsequent recordings include Eight Days of Ecstasy (1998), Evolution (2002) (on which Williams performed vocals and keyboards, along with alto and soprano saxophone), The Perfect Love (2003),[5] Sweet Saxations (2005), and Elixir (2006). In 2007 she recorded The Look of Love, featuring songs originally recorded by Dionne Warwick, and written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. In November 2009, Williams released a Nu Jazz CD, Chameleon, the first release from her own indie label Saxtress Entertainment.

Discography

Year Title Genre Label
1996 Saxtress Jazz Heads Up
1998 Eight Days of Ecstasy Jazz Heads Up
2002 Evolution R&B, Soul, Jazz Red Int / Red Ink
2003 The Perfect Love Jazz Shanachie
2005 Sweet Saxations Jazz Shanachie
2006 Elixir Jazz Shanachie
2006 Pamela Williams: A Night with the Saxtress Jazz Shanachie
2007 The Look of Love Funk Shanachie
2009 Chameleon Nu Jazz Saxtress Entertainment

References

  1. ↑ Pamela Williams Art Gallery
  2. ↑ "Pamela Williams saxtress Saxophone, Saxophone lessons". Pamela Williams saxtress Saxophone, Saxophone lessons. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  3. ↑ SoundClick: Pamela Williams
  4. ↑ Billboard: Pamela Williams Artist Chart History
  5. ↑ eMusic: The Perfect Love by Pamela Williams
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