Patricia Barber/Jessica Williams June 14, 2008

"Standards Redefined"

Patricia Barber
Jessica Williams

Saturday, June 14, 8PM

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“The coolest singer/songwriter around”
– Los Angeles Times on Patricia Barber

One sly and sophisticated wit salutes another as singer/pianist Barber performs a 21st-century take on the Cole Porter songbook. Williams, called “the finest pianist of our time” (All About Jazz), re-imagines standards in a solo set.

Read program notes or Download program notes (pdf)

Part of the appeal of jazz standards is the thrill of hearing the familiar transformed. It takes a singular artist to reimagine the classics: tonight’s performance is a rare chance to see two such musicians, Patricia Barber and Jessica Williams, tackle the Great American Songbook.

The daughter of Floyd Barber, a former Glenn Miller saxophonist, Barber studied classical piano at the University of Iowa before deciding to pursue a career as a jazz pianist. Adding vocals to her arsenal when she moved to Chicago, she soon developed a unique repertoire that mixed standards, contemporary pop songs, and urbane originals,

Her songwriting continued to develop on her last album, 2006’s Mythologies (Blue Note), the recorded result of her work following a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2003. As on her new Blue Note album The Cole Porter Mix, Barber will perform selections from Porter’s songbook alongside her own new works inspired by the witty American songwriter.

Praised by peers such as McCoy Tyner and Dave Brubeck, Jessica Williams could rest on her laurels. But her insatiable pianistic explorations demonstrate a boundless creative energy, particularly when playing solo.

The Baltimore native trained at the Peabody Conservatory before first moving to Philadelphia to study with Philly Joe Jones. She settled in San Francisco in 1977, working as house pianist for the famed Keystone Korner jazz club. Whether playing with tenor saxophonist Stan Getz and drummer Tony Williams, or leading her own group, Williams has always matched her formidable technique with a innate understanding of the music.

Personnel:
# Patricia Barber, vocals, piano
# Michael Arnopol, bass
# Eric Montzka, drums
# John McLean, guitar

# Jessica Williams, solo piano

Official Website: http://www.sfjazz.org