M.J. Williams is a sublime vocalist. She is also a Montana native and a jazz trombonist (of all things). Her solo album, I CAN HEAR YOUR HEART (1999) has been a favorite of mine for many years. Two subsequent albums, each featuring a talented jazz trio (shifting configurations of bass, piano, guitar, and drums) have become equal aural pleasures.
Williams, like another of my favorite vocalists, Jimmy Scott, favors holding long extensions of notes that emphasize the effect of the voice as a member of an instrumental ensemble of equals (as opposed to a lead vocal being supported or "backed" by the instruments.) These extensions cast such a languid spell that you can forget you are listening to a song with words. Williams delivers the lyrics beautifully, but the end result (to my ears at least) is one of enjoying a tapestry of sound more than focusing on the words of the song.
Most of these tracks are jazz interpretations of real classics like My Foolish Heart, The Nearness of You, or Rodgers & Hart's Lover. Also featured are songs composed by Thelonius Monk, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and Pat Metheny, as well as Williams' bass player, Kelly Roberti. Throughout these albums Williams voice is gorgeous--with a solid, mellow center not unlike the timbre of Dianne Reeves' voice.
To my knowledge none of M.J.'s work has had anything like a major-label release, and a quick search reveals nothing via amazon or iTunes. It does look like you can get some of Williams' albums (as well as listen to mp3 samples) at this link:
SHOP FOR M.J. WILLIAMS AT WORLD JAZZ SCENE ONLINE
Of the albums I have, none feature Williams' skills on the trombone, but she's undoubtedly a vocalist well-worth getting acquainted with!
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