Pamela Williams

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Pamela Williams is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, songwriter, producer and painter. Williams' talent is undeniable, and, as the accompaniment to a romantic mood, her music is irresistible. Williams has always exhibited many diverse musical elements in her repertoire from Jazz to Funk, R&B, House, Latin and Pop. Williams is also known for her incredible visual art.

Biography

Williams grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was also the adopted hometown of an early influence of hers, Grover Washington, Jr. Her music continues to carry the same soulful vibe that Washington had provided throughout his career. 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, and her career took off from there. Williams' has toured with Teena Marie and performing with Prince, Babyface and Chante Moore, the saxtress has appeared in a wide variety of videos by artists ranging from soul veteran Barry White ("Come On") to rapper/actress Queen Latifah ("Hard Times").

In 1996 Williams made her recording debut, Saxtress, which was the "Top Contemporary Jazz Album", Billboard's Top 10 pick. "The Secret Garden," which boasts guest performances by soul goddesses Patti LaBelle and Teena Marie—the latter also heard on the dramatic "Latin Lullaby." The cd 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 follow up recordings include Eight Days of Ecstasy (1998), with Evolution (2002) where she has expanded her musical repertoire to include vocals and keyboards along with alto and soprano saxophone, and Sweet Saxations (2005). Elixir (2006) is what real smooth jazz sounds like. In 2007 recorded The Look of Love, it is a beautiful celebration of great music from Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, and Hal David.

Discography

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

Footnotes

External links

• Homepage Pamela Williams

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Last updated on Tuesday October 30, 2007 at 18:43:46 PDT (GMT -0700)
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