Jessica Williams & Leroy Vinnegar - Encounters (1994)

Jessica Williams puts on a typically dynamic performance on this live trio set with bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Mel Brown. She performs more standards than usual; in fact, only her atmospheric "The Sheikh" is an original. Williams' complete control of the piano, her wit, and her ability to come up with fresh variations during lengthy renditions of familiar songs make this yet another one of her CDs well worth picking up. Among the highlights are "If I Were a Bell," "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams" and Thelonious Monk's "We See." ~Scott Yanow