There are at least two artists who go by this name:

1. Jessica Wi… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists who go by this name:

1. Jessica Williams is an American pianist and composer who has deep roots in the Jazz Tradition and has a style that draws on Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis.

She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 17, 1948. She was classically trained at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, beginning lessons at age seven.

She moved to Philadelphia during her teens and began playing with the great Philly Joe Jones, drummer for the Miles Davis Quintet.

She is a two-time Grammy nominee. In 1986, her album Nothin' But the Truth was nominated for a Grammy, and in late 2004, her album LIVE at Yoshi's Volume One was also nominated for a Grammy.

In her mid-twenties, she moved to California, where she played in the bands of Eddie Harris, Dexter Gordon, Tony Williams, Stan Getz, Big Nick Nicholaus, Airto and Flora, Charlie Rouse, John Abercrombie, Charlie Haden, Leroy Vinnegar, and others.

She has released over 40 albums, including Time to Burn on Red and Blue (a trio w/ Dave Captein, Mel Brown); Some Ballads Some Blues on Red and Blue (a trio w/ Dave Captein, Mel Brown); Jessica Plays for Lovers on Red and Blue (solo piano); and Live at Yoshi's Vol. One and Two on Maxjazz (a trio w/ Ray Drummond, Victor Lewis).

(1a) Due to her being based in northern California, Jessica Williams is a bit underrated, but (on evidence of her sets for Jazz Focus and Hep) she is one of the top jazz pianists of today. Williams is a powerful virtuoso whose complete control of the keyboard, wit, solid sense of swing, and the influence of Thelonious Monk have combined to make her a particularly notable player. She started taking piano lessons when she was four and was gigging as a teenager. Williams took extensive classical lessons but also gigged with Philly Joe Jones in Philadelphia before moving to San Francisco in 1977. She was the house pianist at Keystone Korner for a time and made a few interesting recordings (some as Jessica Jennifer Williams) during the period, sometimes utilizing electronics. Although she appeared on Charlie Rouse's final record and gigged steadily, Williams was largely off record (outside of her own private Quanta label) until re-emerging in the late '80s as a brilliant solo acoustic player. She is a giant whose many dates for Jazz Focus (five of its first ten releases feature Williams) and Hep are consistently brilliant. ~ Scott Yanow

2. Jessica Williams is a Country, Singer Songwriter from Montgomery, AL, who currently resides in Nashville, TN.

Gamblin' On Love
Jessica Williams Lyrics

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Placing bets is an easy thing
Cause inside the happiness, your luck can bring
I give the wheel of fortune a spin
Cause I′m betting on something that I know I'll win
If lady luck should ever frown on my case
I don′t want to take the blame
Betting on love is a risky business
Don't want to end up short on happiness

I've got to gamble on your love
Cause I know I just can′t lose
I′ve got to gamble on your love (baby)
Cause I know I just can't lose
I′ve got to gamble on your love
Cause I know I just can't lose
I′ve got to gamble on your love (baby)
Cause I know I just can't lose

Money and you, I couldn′t get it today
Cause your habit is on the lady roulette
I know the stakes, but like the game
I win in time, and I call out your name
Show me a sign
Give me a smile
I promise to make it all worth while
One step from you could have set me off
I'm standing here with my love on the line
I've got to gamble on your love (ooh baby)
Cause I know I just can′t lose
I′ve got to gamble on your love
Cause I know I just can't lose
I′ve got to gamble on your love
Cause I know I just can't lose

I′ve got to gamble on your love
Cause I know I just can't lose

Overall Meaning

In the song "Gamblin' On Love," Jessica Williams compares the risks involved in gambling to the risks involved in falling in love. To her, placing bets and taking chances on love are similar in that they both require taking a leap of faith with the potential for great reward or great loss. She recognizes that betting on love can be a risky business, but she's willing to take that risk because she believes that the person she's in love with is worth it. She's placing her bet on their love and is confident that she won't lose, just as she would be if she were gambling in a casino.

The song touches on the idea that love, like gambling, can be addictive and can lead to bad habits or risky behavior. The line "Money and you, I couldn't get it today, Cause your habit is on the lady roulette" suggests that the person she's in love with may be causing her to take risks she wouldn't normally take because of their shared addiction to gambling. However, regardless of the similarities between gambling and love, Jessica is willing to take that chance and put everything on the line for love.

Overall, "Gamblin' On Love" is an optimistic yet realistic representation of the risk and reward involved in falling in love. The lyrics capture the excitement, fear, and hope that come with gambling on a person and betting on love, emphasizing the importance of taking a chance when it feels right.

Line by Line Meaning

Placing bets is an easy thing
It's easy to take a risk

Cause inside the happiness, your luck can bring
Betting on something can bring happiness

I give the wheel of fortune a spin
Taking chances by spinning the wheel

Cause I'm betting on something that I know I'll win
Being confident in the bet

If lady luck should ever frown on my case
If things don't go as planned

I don’t want to take the blame
Not wanting to take responsibility for the loss

Betting on love is a risky business
Love is unpredictable and can be dangerous

Don't want to end up short on happiness
Not wanting to lose out on happiness

I've got to gamble on your love
Taking a risk on their love

Cause I know I just can't lose
Being confident in the outcome

Money and you, I couldn't get it today
Unable to get money and their love on the same day