Williams grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was also the adopted hometown of an early influence of hers, Grover Washington, Jr. Playing with the Martin Luther King Jazz Ensemble at King High School in Philadelphia's historic Germantown section, Williams was required to embrace both electric jazz-funk and hardcore bebop. In 1996, she first found fame as a member of Patti LaBelle's backup band, furthering her subsequent career. Williams has toured with Teena Marie and performed with Prince, Babyface and Chante Moore. She has appeared in a music videos by artists ranging from Barry White ("Come On") to rapper/actress Queen Latifah ("Hard Times").[2] In 1996 Williams made her recording debut, Saxtress, which was the "Top Contemporary Jazz Album", Billboard's Top 10 pick.[3] "The Secret Garden" includes guest performances by soul vocalists Regina Belle, Patti LaBelle and Teena Marie; the latter also heard on "Latin Lullaby." The album a...