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.
I Wanna Be
Jessica Williams Lyrics
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Trying to work out life's happy plan
Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
When I find a very lonely soul
Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.
Life's really worth living
When we are mirth giving
Why can't I give some to you
When skies are gray and you say you are blue
I'll send the sun smiling through
I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.
When skies are gray and you say you are blue
I'll send the sun smiling through
I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.
The song "I Wanna Be" by Jessica Williams is a reflection of the singer's desire to spread happiness and love to those around her. The first verse describes her as an ordinary person who is trying to figure out life's plan while treating others the way she wants to be treated. The second verse speaks of her goal to connect with lonely souls and share her philosophy of happiness, which gives her a sense of fulfillment.
In the chorus, Williams sings that her own happiness is dependent on making others happy too. She believes that life is worth living when we spread joy to others, and she asks why she can't share some of that joy with the listener. The next verse suggests that even in difficult times when the sky is gray and the listener is feeling down, Williams wants to be the one to send sunshine into their life and make them happy. As the song ends, she repeats the chorus to emphasize that this is her ultimate goal.
Overall, "I Wanna Be" is a song about finding meaning and fulfillment in life by making others happy. It is an uplifting reminder that we can all make a positive impact on the people around us and that spreading joy is a valuable goal in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a very ordinary man
I am not a special person, just an average individual
Trying to work out life's happy plan
I am attempting to figure out how to lead a happy life
Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
I treat others as I would prefer to be treated
When I find a very lonely soul
When I encounter someone who is isolated and unhappy
Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
It becomes my primary objective to offer them comfort and support
I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
I experience a sense of satisfaction when I share my beliefs with them
I want to be happy
My ultimate objective is to experience a sense of joy and fulfillment
But I won't be happy
However, I will not be content
Till I make you happy too.
Until I can assist you in feeling delighted as well
Life's really worth living
Our existence has genuine value
When we are mirth giving
When we bring joy and laughter into the lives of others
Why can't I give some to you
Why can't I bring happiness and lightness into your life as well?
When skies are gray and you say you are blue
When you are feeling sad and disheartened
I'll send the sun smiling through
I will do my best to bring a sense of warmth and hope back into your life
I want to be happy
My ultimate objective is to experience a sense of joy and fulfillment
But I won't be happy
However, I will not be content
Till I make you happy too.
Until I can assist you in feeling delighted as well
When skies are gray and you say you are blue
When you are feeling sad and disheartened
I'll send the sun smiling through
I will do my best to bring a sense of warmth and hope back into your life
I want to be happy
My ultimate objective is to experience a sense of joy and fulfillment
But I won't be happy
However, I will not be content
Till I make you happy too.
Until I can assist you in feeling delighted as well
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind