Deniece Williams (born June Deniece Chandler; June 3, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter and producer. Williams has been described as “one of the great soul voices” by the BBC. Williams has won four Grammys with twelve nominations altogether.
Deniece Williams has a four-octave range and distinctive soprano voice. Her vocal range was also pointed out by The New York Times, “Miss Williams mounted a spectacular vocal display in which her penetrating, feline soprano soared effortlessly to E flat above high C, and she worked various vowel sounds into prolonged feats of vocal gymnastics.” In pointing to Williams’s similar vocal ability as her former musical icon and colleague (Minnie Riperton), Mark Anthony Neal, in referencing Jill Scott’s agility in displaying vocal acrobatics, states, “Scott draws on her upper register recalling the artistry of the late Minnie Riperton and “songbird” Deniece Williams.” According to Monica Haynes of Post-Gazette.com, Williams “has the kind of range that would make Mariah Carey quiver”.