music
January 8, 2026
‘I’d never heard anything like it’: the prepared piano revelations of jazz star Jessica Williams
Dave Brubeck called her a great and Mary Lou Williams gave her advice. But the prodigy grew frustrated with jazz, quit and started dismantling her instrument. A superb new reissue showcases her findings
TL;DR
- Artist Kye Potter discovered Jessica Williams' experimental 'prepared piano' recordings, leading to a posthumous album release.
- Williams' prepared piano work created a wide range of sonic textures, diverging from her traditional jazz style.
- She faced physical and financial struggles later in life, impacting her ability to perform.
- Williams was an early adopter of the internet for independent music release and fan engagement.
- Despite her innovative work, her death in 2022 went largely unnoticed by the online jazz community.
- There is a growing movement to revive interest in her unique musical contributions.
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