Nothin' But the Truth

by Scott YanowBy 1986 pianist Jessica Williams had largely developed her own style and sound. Influenced by Thelonious Monk but improvising with her own voice (and a rather phenominal technique), Williams performs four of her originals, the standard "Stars Fell on Alabama" and two Monk tunes ("Ugly Beauty" and "'Round Midnight"). Jessica Williams' witty and consistently surprising playing on the trio set with bassist John Wiitala and drummer Bud Spangler is quite memorable and enjoyable but, due to Black Hawk going out of business, this LP is currently a bit of a collector's item.