Pamela Williams
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| Pamela Williams | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin |  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Smooth/Contemporary Jazz, R&B, Smooth Soul |
| Instrument(s) | Soprano/Alto Saxophone, Keyboard |
| Years active | 1996 – Present |
| Label(s) | Shanachie, Heads Up |
| Website | Pamela Williams Homepage |
Pamela Williams is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, songwriter, producer and painter. Williams exhibits diverse musical elements in her repertoire, including Jazz, Funk, R&B, House, Latin and Pop. Williams is also known for her visual art.[1]
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[edit] 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, 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").[2]
In 1996 Williams made her recording debut, Saxtress, which was the "Top Contemporary Jazz Album", Billboard's Top 10 pick.[3] "The Secret Garden," which boasts guest performances by soul goddesses Patti LaBelle and Teena Marie—the latter 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 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). In 2007 she recorded The Look of Love, featuring songs originally recorded by Dionne Warwick, and written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
[edit] 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 |
