This is Fresh Air. I'm David Beancouly, professor of television studies at Rowan University in New Jersey, Infra Terry Gross.

For over 30 years on our show, we have played recordings by pianist and composer Jessica Williams.

We were sorry to learn that she passed away last month on March 10th, a week before her 74th birthday, after a period of declining health.

She leaves behind dozens of great solo and trio recordings. For several years, Jessica Williams was the house pianist at the Keystone Corner Jazz Club in San Francisco, where she played with jazz giants like saxophonists Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, and Charlie Rouse, and drummer Philly Joe Jones and Tony Williams, both of whom she became close to.

McCoy, Tiner, and Dave Brubeck were among the jazz pianists who singled her out for her spectacular playing.

In 1994, she received a Guggenheim Fellowship for composition. After years of trying, we finally were able to bring her to Philadelphia in 1997 to play on Fresh Air.

In a few minutes, we'll hear that performance, and the interview she did with Terry. But first, a brief appreciation from our executive producer, Danny Miller.

Jessica Williams has been called the greatest jazz pianist you've never heard of. But there is a good chance you've heard her playing on Fresh Air because we often end the show with her music.

Now, I should say at the top that I'm not a jazz critic, but I've been a devoted and grateful fan of hers for decades.

What we'll be hearing in a few minutes features Jessica at the piano by herself. She was a magnificent solo pianist, but I thought it would also be nice to hear a little bit of her trio playing, and along the way highlight a few musical moments that illustrate how much fun it was to hear her play.

And what was so distinctive about her touch at the keyboard? Her touch was crisp and precise. Full of humor and joy at a romping tempo, were expressing really deep emotion in a ballad.

But hearing just a few notes, you can always tell with Jessica because of her touch.

I would say orange hair around the neck potentially

The way I meant the song was a twist my neck was but about that moment when I was in a fan, Wow!

When I was here with our good glass of fresh air and my

window screaming, I saw her every time I came out here

That was band-made Steve Captain on bass with no brown on drums.

Jessica had great chops, but it wasn't about showing off, though I suspect that every

once in a while she had a little bit of fun demonstrating her incredible technique.

She loved other piano players, Monk, Bill Evans, and Nero Garner to name it you.

Interplaying acknowledged the history of jazz piano.

Jeff Johnston on bass and Dick Burke on drums.

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