Lisa Hilton, Author at Lisa Hilton Music

Life Feels Better…

April 14, 2021 by Lisa Hilton

Billie Holiday, Bossa Nova, Diana Krall, More Than Another Day

Billie Holiday, Diana Krall, Jazz Playlists, Music Sale, Podcast

I think you and I both know in our hearts that life feels better with music. Sometimes though it seems easy to just do what we’re doing without it, but we know that everything not only feels better but somehow can even become fun, just by listening to the right tunes! Last year really ground this concept in for me: faced with new additions to household tasks replacing performance opportunities that had disappeared, the old “whistle while you work” idea popped in my head.

Since I share pretty much everything with you, I thought I’d also share my playlist from the last year too. I think you could characterize, (and paraphrase), this playlist perhaps as: Something old, something new, something borrowed, and some blues – it’s a bit of this and that but it’s a jazz playlist and it puts you in a great mood for more than three hours. I have affectionately called it the Corner Café Jazz playlist because I have missed the convivial spirit of a local coffee spot with lively jazz playing to set the mood, so I have tried to recreate that as best as I can here.

Listen to Corner Café Jazz on Spotify

Listen to Corner Café Jazz on YouTube

Listen to Corner Café Jazz on Pandora

Most playlists are created with different song tracks, but this is an album playlist so it has four different upbeat jazz approaches. You can see I’m starting out with our new album More Than Another Day and then I segue to Billie Holiday, who has been getting a much deserved moment lately. Although I have read two books about her, I really hadn’t realized that she also composed too. What we should all know about Lady Day, is that her music is timeless and appealing to so many around the world, and this collection is a very upbeat compilation called Billie’s Best.

After Billie, I add in some of the best bossa nova ever recorded: Getz/Gilberto. You have to be careful with bossa nova because it can actually be too relaxing, but it’s nice to have the lilting Latin energy, right? I’m a huge fan of composer Antonio Carlos Jobim who was also the pianist on this one. Next up is another favorite album, Diana Krall’s Live In Paris recorded by my engineer Al Schmitt and his fabulous crew. Diana is not normally referred to as a pianist – only as a singer, but she is a terrific pianist, and she’s clear as a bell and singing as well here! This playlist has gotten me through a lot of tasks and good times too this last year, so I hope enjoy it too.

Before I sign off, I want to say another big THANK YOU to the incredible support our album: More Than Another Day, has received from radio and streaming sources around the world: #1 Apple Music Pure Jazz Playlist, #1 Amazon.com New Release/Cool Jazz, #3 PhilsPicks.com, #5 JazzWeek Jazz Radio chart, #7 ZMR International Radio chart – and more. Just posted is this Straight No Chaser jazz podcast hosted by Jeffrey Siegel. It was really fun to be on this wonderful podcast again – please take a moment to listen soon.

Click here to listen to the Straight No Chaser podcast

As a springtime/goodtime gift, lisahiltonmusic.com will be selling CD’s and 1 vinyl album April 1-15th for only $5.00 (+ shipping in the USA only – limited to 10 CDs total). Digital downloads will be specially priced at $5.99 (also limited to 10 per customer).

Use the discount code: ENJOY

Wishing you a happy spring and great month!

Lisa

Springtime favorites: Hiking in the Malibu mountains and by the sea, spring flowers in bloom, and kale growing in my garden. Middle row: A few of the albums featured on the Corner Café Jazz Playlist including the ever amazing Diana Krall and Lady Day.

lisa hilton wearing a hat sitting in front of a piano

More Than Another Day Reviews ✨

March 16, 2021 by Lisa Hilton

Lisa Hilton, More Than Another Day, Press, Reviews

Thank you for your support and encouragement for our album, MORE THAN ANOTHER DAY:

#1 AMAZON.COM NEW RELEASE/COOL JAZZ first week on sale

TOP TEN LIST DEC/2020: #3 More Than Another Day PhilsPicks.com

#5 Jazz Week Jazz Chart –multiple weeks

“Hilton is an inheritor/successor to the mantle of Erroll Garner: classy, intelligent and accessible without bowing to commercial-type compromise.” New York Jazz Record/Mark Keresman

“It’s a sophisticated, yet engagingly accessible sound that brings to mind the classic work of artists like Vince Guaraldi, Dave Brubeck and Ramsey Lewis….swinging acoustic jazz.” Matt Collar/All Music Guide

“In a few instances, the compositions written for More Than Another Day are absolutely breath-taking. Hilton has a way of injecting such warmth into her left hand that, no matter what sort of piece the pianist tackles, she leaves behind a sense of delicate intimacy not found in the repertoire of other artists.” Peter J. Hoetjes/All About Jazz

“Wonderful music…vibrant…spilling over with cheer, hope and serious jazz chops…each track percolates…unadulterated exhilaration..mesmerizing…intoxicating…” Jazz Medium/Carol Banks Weber

“Impressions of color and depth.” Jazz Weekly

“A smoking trio date, but what it really is, is a tour de force for her piano chops to really walk the walk. The kind of classic sound/feeling date that first got you into jazz piano trio sets, this might appear simple but that doesn’t stop it from being as tasty as it gets. Hot stuff.” The MidwestRecord

“The trio is perfect…another solid collection of very memorable, interesting compositions… in the performance, there is a sense of optimism in every note here.” Jazz Squared/Russia

“A year-end gift to aficionados everywhere.” Mike Jurkovich/All About Jazz

“More Than Another Day is an exceptional offering that ranks at the top of Hilton’s repertoire. It gives the listener the complete picture of her masterful talents as a pianist, composer and bandleader, in addition to offering nearly an hour of awesome entertainment.” Sounds of Timeless Jazz

“Yet another compelling effort. These are a fresh set of Hilton’s tunes that have an easily embraceable warmth. There’s a touch of blues and several beautiful ballads over ten selections.” O’s Place Jazz Magazine

“Hilton has a clear vision of how she wants to sound as she beautifully plays the Steinway…her piano sound is lush, delicate and highly melodic…. A rich balance of emotions and harmonic colors as well.” Glide Magazine/Jim Hynes

“Hilton’s elegant piano and the profound dynamism-filled rhythm create beautiful melodic piano trio works”. Vento Azul /Japan

“This quite compelling new album – one that showcases the creative range of Hilton and her trio…an album that not only uplifts the soul and spirit within the listener, but ensures they are also given a breath of fresh air in which to continue….” Exclusive Magazine

“A refined and organic pianist….lyrically and harmoniously engaging.” Windout Magazine/Italy

“This quite compelling new album…an album that only uplifts the soul and spirit within the listener.” Exclusive Magazine

“I’m always glad to listen to Lisa Hilton!” Aiding & Abetting blog

RADIO REVIEWS:

“Delightful music with some twists. Where has Lisa been hiding! Now that I have found her, I want to hear more.” CKHA/Canada

“I always enjoy Lisa Hilton’s trio albums, and More Than Another Day is one of the best. I’m honored to share her music with my audience”. Mike Chimeri, host of Instrumental Invasion, WCWP-FM

“Good stuff!” WXPN/BluesNet Radio/PA

“Lisa Hilton’s original compositions continue to get better and better. Her trio with Rudy Royston & Luques Curtis deliver a wonderful and listenable journey of music.” Kayonne Riley-WUCF/FL

“Amazing!” The Network Radio/Italy

“More Than Another Day’ fits right in with the sound of our station. I really like what’s she’s done on this project” Jaelon Jackson-KNTU/TX

“Excellent!” RadioVideo/Ireland

“Easy going music. Perfect fit for drivetime airplay.” Jonathan Turner-WXTS/OH

“Attention grabbing!” KVNF Radio

“Love the playful, whimsical spirit…” Outsight Radio/NC

“From upbeat, tight, pulsing to ethereal, evocative, gymnopedie like: always pleasing.”CILU/Canada

“It’s always a pleasure to listen to Lisa Hilton’s piano! And thank you to Luques Curtis & Rudy Royston.” Radio Arc-en-Ciel 103.4 FM /France

“I always look forward to a Lisa Hilton release.” CIWS/Canada

“Lovely!” Villa Bota Radio/Belgium

“Real nice set of tracks.” CJSW/CANADA

“Another excellent album from the great jazz lady of the piano. I like it!!!!!” FM Urquiza /Argentina

“Great piano playing especially with the trio.” CKSJ Coast 101.1FM/NL

“NICE!” WDCE/VA

“Good album!” Urban Jazz Radio

“A Lisa Hilton album is always a treat & especially welcomed during these dark days.”SINE FM/UK

“Gentle, swinging & with a hint of whimsy. Another fine recording.” Just Jazz/New Zealand

“Beautiful!” Good Ratio Music / Germany

“As always, a great, rich sound.” WMWM/ MA

“So super!!!!” Free FM / Greece

“Lisa Hilton never disappoints, and on the contrary, manages to surprise…, combining freshness & vivacity with poetry… rich in a preciousness that confirms the value of the pianist.”Animajazz/Italy

“Another great work by Lisa. Unusual & inspiring mix of songs played by a tight, wonderful trio.” 2MBS NSW, Australia

“Great vibes on this one.” K107 FM/UK

“REAL GOOD!” Radio MUZKOM/Russia

lisa hilton sitting behind a black and gold piano

New Growth 🌱

March 11, 2021 by Lisa Hilton

Cole Porter, Composing Season, Creativity, Miles Davis

Some musical experiences I find pretty tricky to describe, so I try to convey them through similar experiences that we all can share. Take riding a bike down a hill – that feeling of flying – whoosh! Or roller skating on just the right kind of smooth pavement, or skiing down a lovely hill fresh in the morning with just a little powder and no bumps. These experiences describe a sense of freedom and joy, and a type of beauty too I suppose. You didn’t get to see Ricky, my little 11 lb Italian greyhound run on the beach, but anyone who did witnessed his unbridled physical expression of sheer joy and freedom, bringing smiles to everyone who did see it. When I’d see him all fast, sleek and tireless – I’d think to myself that is how I aspire to play the piano
someday! When I watch the great pianists Yuja Wang or Lang Lang, I think they play like Ricky ran – with a lot of joy and a lot of speed. The effort it takes to play well is more than repaid for in the freedom it bestows on a pianist.

Even tricker perhaps to describe is composing. When I mention that it feels like a vacation to me, most people conjure visions of swimming pools with umbrella drinks, and that is not at all what I mean. The essence of a vacation or travel is new experiences and a sense of surprise: Where will we go today? What will we do? The sense of curiosity that flavors vacation travel is a very similar feeling to what I experience when I compose: Where will I go today musically? What will I create? There is a sense of unfolding, new growth and discovery along with wonderment too. If I were a film composer, the director would tell me what was happening when, and how long it would last, but artists don’t really know where they will end up – the path/map/destination is unknown: we only have a vague direction of where we will go on any given day. But composing is also like laying the railroad tracks or building the car for that journey – it’s an incredible amount of time and work, but I can imagine that if you really liked cars it would be fun to build your own, and I bet that Steve Jobs kept persisting with his
computer creations because it was, at its core, a thrilling and creative adventure for him.

I’ve come to affectionately call springtime my “Composing Season” and it does seem to get started every year right about the time I plant my veggie garden. Every spring, I begin again – for the exploration, curiosity, excitement, challenge, discoveries and new musical growth it always brings, not because I need a new album, or have to create material for a tour, or a TV show. It’s always fun to head off without knowing where you will go, right? The virtual back seat on my composing excursions is filled with all my favorite artists along for the ride – Miles, Monk, Chopin, Jobim, Cole Porter, (the life of the party), Duke and Lady Day of course. Once again, it’s about time for me to wave bon voyage, as I head to my beloved Steinway in my breakfast
nook – time to sit in one place and travel through musical ideas: I wonder what I’ll create today? I wonder where this new path will take me?

Wishing everyone spring-around-the-corner weather, and a joyful start to new creations,

Lisa

A few of my favorite things: My Steinway, bike riding, the pianist Yuja Wang, new lettuce growing, Ricky, and being in the countryside. With the pianist Lang Lang, sunset in the Mojave desert, and composing. Top photo by Ricky Chavez.

Isn’t It Romantic? 💗

February 12, 2021 by Lisa Hilton

Antonio Carlos, Bill Evans, Cole Porter, Holidays

Performing with my band last year in Santa Cruz, California, at the cool Kuumbwa Jazz Club, I mentioned to the audience that I didn’t think we’ve been romantic since the 60’s, and I got a big warm laugh in response. What I really meant was that I don’t think music has been very romantic for decades.

Consider this: the 1963 hit by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Close To You, as well as the John Lennon & Paul McCartney tune I Want To Hold Your Hand… also written in 1963, are maybe the last tunes of the romantic song era that began about 1930. What happened? No more Dancing Cheek to Cheek (Irving Berlin/1935), Misty (Errol Garner/1955), or Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling In Love (1961). Romantic songs began to fade when folk music brought social issues into lyrics like Bob Dylan’s 1962 Blowin’ In The Wind. Dylan, along with artists like Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, began writing lyrics with a completely different tone – no more Three Coins in a Fountain (Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn/1955). Times changed, and music changed as well. Today’s love songs should, and do sound different.

Now when we listen to jazz standards from the 30’s to the early 60’s they do sound almost overly romantic in a warm nostalgic way – they are of another era and time.

In 2005 I was talking with actor Tony Danza at our local gym and he suggested that I should “play standards.” This was a smart idea, but being a composer, I really prefer to write my own, so instead I decided to compose a tune in the general form of a romantic standard, which I called, So This Is Love. For years we’ve enjoyed playing it as a band, so last February when I got the urge to write another romantic song for Valentine’s Day, I figured it would be pretty simple, right? I loved delving into a bunch of romantic tunes – especially Cole (I’ve Got You Under My Skin) Porter, and Antonio Carlos (Girl From Ipanema) Jobim as well as the intimate playing style of composer/pianist Bill (Waltz for Debby) Evans. Well, I was wrong!

Romantic songs may sound very simple, but they proved to be trickier than I thought. I consider the tunes I hoped would be romantic – No Sleep Until… and Today I Looked At Love off our latest album, to be more in the ballad range, just a bit short of romantic. So what makes the perfect love song? After a couple months I just gave up on romance, and recorded a new version of So This Is Love!

Whatever you play or do this week, wishing you a sense of joy and hopefully romance too!

Take care,

Lisa

Valentine’s Day Favorites: roses, lattes, hydrangeas, beautiful Malibu sunsets, pastries from Dominique Ansel Bakery, the film Top Hat featuring Irving Berlin’s Cheek to Cheek, the sheet music for So This is Love, which you can buy on my website, and my beloved piano.

lisa hilton in a black dress with a quote about how grateful she is for the support she's received in the last 20 years

Thank You! 👏

February 3, 2021 by Lisa Hilton

More Than Another Day, Press, Radio Jazz Charts

I’m not quite sure, but I think it was around 2000 that I decided I should send my CD to radio stations to see if I could get airplay. So I researched radio stations in the US, (no streaming services or iTunes then yet), although I don’t remember how I did that since internet search engines were still new! Somehow I painstakingly typed up a list of appropriate stations and snail mailed my CD’s out, and later, following up with a call. At that time it was a big step for someone from a small town to do this, although it doesn’t seem like much of a big deal looking back. I grew up being told not to “talk to strangers” but here I was calling them! I was pretty nervous at first, but found the radio show hosts to be nice and of course, knowledgeable about music and jazz, so they were fun to talk to, great conversationalists of course, and had terrific voices too. Now we all have “friends,” but this was my first experience befriending people I had never met, and it felt cool.

It’s been awhile since then and now my 23rd album, More Than Another Day, is now being played at radio stations throughout the world. With each new recording I still get a bit nervous and excited too to see what people think of our latest effort, (even if I’m not calling up stations myself any more). It’s feels good to have some experience and a track record now – that always feels better, right? But you never know when you spend eight months on a creative project how it will go over when it is released. Last year our album was #11 on the JazzWeek Radio Chart and #2 on the ZMR radio chart – what will it be this year? It’s now out of our hands: we just wish that it brings joy and uplift to listeners around the world. So far we have been very fortunate – just a month after the release date and only a couple weeks at radio stations we debuted at #22 on the JazzWeek chart which is a WONDERFUL start – don’t you agree? So I want to take a moment to thank everyone for their kind words, radio spins, support and encouragement the last twenty years – applause and bravo to you all! Radio shows are still personally curated – that’s actually what you call entertainment!

Take care and wishing us all hope, health and optimism this year,

Lisa

A New Year… 💫🎉

December 30, 2020 by Lisa Hilton

Holidays, New Year, Q&A

More Than Another Day Q&A PART II with Lisa K. Hilton

Q: Happy New Year!

Lisa Hilton: Thank you – and to you too!

Q: Your new album More Than Another Day, is quite upbeat, which is really nice to hear right now, but I’m curious how you composed this music during the first few months of the 2020 lock down?

LH: Our tour had to quit in March of course, and that was troubling – actually everything in March was troubling – remember? My intuition told me that I needed to stay home, so I just started composing and the creativity flowed. Originally though, yeah, there were honestly, some dark tunes from those dark times. But I knew the album would be out in December and we’d be all healthy and enjoying life by then, right? So I tried to focus on the everyday beauty in life: despite any pandemic in our world the sun rises and the sun sets with majestic beauty. I tried to focus on what is good, right, and freely available everywhere. Of course I was completely wrong about that timeline: the pandemic was much worse in December than it was in March! But that upbeat vibe we recorded is translating to people everywhere. We are collectively all adapting and it’s nice to have music to keep our spirits up, so I’m happy with the results even if my assumptions about the pandemic were completely wrong!

Q: Now that 2020 is now behind us, how are you feeling looking back on the music, recording during a pandemic and the year in general?

LH: I’m glad to see 2020 in the rear view mirror like everyone else. More Than Another Day, was probably the easiest album I’ve ever done, yet the most difficult too. The year was extremely challenging yet the outpouring of positive response the last month on the new music has been a wonderful gift to us coming as the year has ended. There’s just a big mix of emotions on this one.

Q: It has been an unusual time, but what do you mean by the “easiest, yet the most difficult?”

LH: Trying to arrange a recording session is always difficult with everyone’s conflicting schedules and busy studios too. It takes about two months to finalize a date. When I started setting up the sessions, the east coast was being hit hard by Covid, so we made the decision to record in West Los Angeles, but by the time the August date arrived, California was in bad shape! I booked a studio, and then lost a studio – that kind of thing. Everyone was really thankful, and proud too, to be working again, but we were nervous to be in a work environment after five months at home. When we record an album the hang is one aspect we all enjoy, but we had to eat our meal at separate tables and it felt awkward and isolating. We all had to create workarounds too – like creating a video from existing photos rather than have a photographer in the studio. Ryan Nava has been photographing us for a couple years, and did a great job on the slideshow style video for the track More Than Another Day, and it was a much safer solution. Despite the difficulties, we all felt lucky to be there and emotionally we really needed to play. I think you can hear that good energy in the recording – there was a propulsive drive that we had in the studio, and that was captured.

Q: Are you planning to tour in 2021, or are you planning to live stream any shows?

LH: I am not planning to tour in 2021: I don’t think venues will be able to be at full capacity and although our band will be safe on stage, I don’t want to put anyone going to our shows, or working at our shows at risk. I have been asked a lot about live streaming and I’m not leaning in that direction yet. There are some artists that have really done cool things with this concept, and venues too that are stepping up here. But I always want to think about the “big picture” – a performance involves maybe 10-15 people working on that event. If I were to live stream, I don’t feel I’m being supportive of the venues, the ushers, the box office personnel, the lighting and sound engineers, the maintenance staff – everyone that works every day for musicians. It doesn’t seem fair to me that I can perform, but the support team is on furlough. I want to be supportive of the people who support artists, so it doesn’t feel right to live stream for now.

Q: I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I understand what you’re saying. Ok, so what are your hopes and plans in 2021 then?

LH: I hope in 2021 our music continues to lift spirits around the world day after day after day. It’s cool to hear about how the album touches lives around the world – we love hearing these encouraging words! This is also an amazing time for creativity, and I’m excited what will emerge next musically. We have a new year, a new president, new health vaccines, a new decade, new music, (and I’ve got a birthday this week too), so we can all feel optimistic. Happy 2021 to us all!

collage of sunrises and sunsets, playing at carnegie hall, and getting ready for a new decade

Top Row: sunrise in Big Sur, Jan 5th, sunset in Malibu
Middle Row: Luques Curtis, myself and Rudy Royston will miss playing Carnegie Hall this year
Bottom Row: getting ready for a new decade!

pianist lisa hilton sitting at her piano in a white lace blouse

Wishing You… 🎄❄

December 20, 2020 by Lisa Hilton

Holidays, Julliard, Sheet Music

Anyone feeling merry or bright yet?

It has been truly an epic year as we know. Now the end of 2020 has arrived, and we have hope for 2021. So we might not feel exactly merry or bright, but we do know that this year will soon be behind us and knowing that is a mood booster!

I’m not giving up on cheer though, and I’m aiming for merry. I’ll spend time viewing old photos from holidays past, Zoom meeting, wear an awkward holiday T, see friends on the patio, and of course, play the piano. I’ll bring out the piano books from my childhood and a couple new ones too. (I always plan to practice them a bit ahead of time, but I never seem to get around to it, so I assure you there won’t be a live stream!) Holiday tunes, like most music, lift our mood, and also touches the nostalgia in our hearts in a year of dramatic change. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

If you need any music books, I normally buy mine at The Juilliard Store, (your big retailers have them too), or individual sheet at sites like MusicNotes.com. Music itself is a great gift to yourself or others so I’ve included easy shop links below.

As December and 2020 come to an end, I wish you, and I wish everyone, a special time – a time of peace, a time for beauty in nature and a time for health as well as hope.

Happy Holidays,
Lisa

Apple Music: More Than Another Day

Amazon #1 New Release: More Than Another Day

The Juilliard Store

Music Notes

collage of lisa hilton's favorite holiday things

Top Row: With my Italian greyhound Ricky 2016, I love my poinsettias, my favorite holiday tune Middle Row: Healthy intentions, Christmas 2018, holiday fun in my ‘hood Bottom Row: My holiday FaceTime style, homemade latte, Holiday 2019

Thankfully… A Holiday Discount! 🥧

November 27, 2020 by Lisa Hilton

Gifts, Holidays, More Than Another Day

It is the week to be T H A N K F U L and like so many, I’m very thankful for my health this year and of course my friends, my family and as a musician, I am thankful for my followers as well. So at this time of year, there is a special discount for 2 weeks: all CD’s, (and my 1 vinyl album) are discounted to $5 (+shipping) at LisaHiltonMusic.com.

These are perfect gifts to share with co-workers, neighbors, and teachers as well as friends & family. The music is perfect for road trips or car pools, music while you are working or creating, and pretty fun to listen to whether you are want to relax or tidy! I hear every year our music goes well with holiday tunes and is great for dinners too. And don’t forget to order for yourself – our new trio CD, More Than Another Day is included in the discount too.

Pictured below are just some of our 23 CD’s that are my favorite and they range from solo piano (Nuance and Day & Night are 2 examples), trio (Oasis), quartet (Chalkboard Destiny) or quintet (Nocturnal and Twilight & Blues), but there’s more too!

‘Tis the season to be m e r r y, right? Our holiday DISCOUNT CODE: MERRY50 will be active from November 27^th through Dec 4^th which is our Official Release Day for More Than Another Day.

Enjoy!

Lisa

Cultivating Creativity

November 13, 2020 by Lisa Hilton

Composing Season, Creativity, Quarantine

Because I’m not touring in 2021, (yes, Carnegie Hall cancelled our January show), I decided to start composing again. You might be thinking that I have an album coming out in 3 weeks so why would I be composing for the next one??

When I began working in music, the idea that I would compose without a reason seemed unusual. Now though, creativity is not an unknown mystical concept: now I understand I don’t need a reason to create: it is something I cultivate and nurture, as well as enjoy, and it’s an everyday part of my life. Here are things that enhance output – what I call…Creativity Fuel:

Clean up your life: Take a look at your life and ask yourself what you want to be doing and how you actually spend your time. In a magical kind of way, I find that if I put my creative pursuits first, I seem to be able to get a lot done afterwards effortlessly.
Beautify your workspace: I really don’t know why this one works, but it does. I know I can create anywhere, and I certainly know of musicians that write on tour buses or airplanes, but somehow if you create a place you enjoy being in, your projects flourish.
Be open: There are no boundaries or parameters to creativity, and it is absolutely available to everyone, but be sure you act on this concept: that you don’t impose restrictions or standards that inhibit what yearns to come out. Being open means that you won’t always hit your mark, but you also won’t miss something that might hit it.
Clarify your reason/s: Do you want to be creative to: have fun, fight boredom, to feel good, for your career, for holiday gifts, for your kids… A strong “why” really helps push you in the right direction, and will propel you on your “doubter days.”
Commit: One of my personal sayings is “Commitment is King” – nothing else has a higher level of productivity than simply committing to doing something whether it’s for 15 minutes or 5 hours a day. Commitment is an all-encompassing state – you cannot kind of commit or sort of commit – you either are committed or you are not.
Use what you have: I’d prefer a healthier world like everyone, but I also know that creativity has no bounds. Any event can be fuel for ideas. Use whatever situation you have to your advantage – difficult times included.
Stay put: This is a saying I picked up from a surfer: you can travel the world in search of the perfect wave, or you can stay right where you are and insure you get fun surf in your own backyard. There is real power in staying where you are- especially this year.
Nurture your body: Did you know the great pianist Yuja Wang can do handstands? Whatever it is you want to create, your physical body will do a better job if you’re in better shape, right? (I know you know this one!)
Hang with your heroes: We can’t always meet our heroes, but we can always read, follow, or watch our heroes. Even better though: play great compositions – not just listen to them, look for live interviews or podcast where you can hear an artist’s actual words – not the words of a critic or journalist. You can paint others paintings or read others plays or poetry out loud. The idea is to learn directly from the artist. Books, articles, teachings that are commentary are not as illuminating as what comes from the artist themselves.
Notate it! The eternal human fantasy is that we will not forget that great idea, but just in case, be sure to find a way to notate that idea: Post Its, Voice Notes, recording, music notation, or doodling. Unless you’re Paul McCartney waking up with “Yesterday” direct from your dream, you need a way to remind yourself later on in your busy day.
Enjoy what you enjoy. This might be the simplest idea, but if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing it’s hard to stick with it. Can you hack a better approach to make it more fun? My friend is a fantastic painter but is very hard on herself while she paints, so she will listen to Audibles or watch a rom-com on her computer while she paints, arousing her pleasure senses and gently drowning out critical doubts of her painting skills in the process. Find a way to enjoy the parts you enjoy and in the process you will be nurturing and cultivating your creativity – with a smile on your face too!

– Lisa

More Than Another Day: Q&A 💐

October 29, 2020 by Lisa Hilton

Composing Season, More Than Another Day, Tour

Q&A with Lisa Hilton on her new release, More Than Another Day – OUT DECEMBER 4TH

Lisa Hilton/piano, Luques Curtis/bass, Rudy Royston/drums

Q: I’m sure it was disappointing to cancel shows from your tour last spring. What was it like for you to instead be composing during a pandemic?

Lisa Hilton: Well, I was curious about that too – I’ve never/we’ve never, been through an experience like this, so I really wasn’t sure what I would, or could create during a world crises. But in 2019 I had read the extensive biography on pianist/composer, Fryderyk Chopin by Alan Walker. Chopin continued to compose during the gruesome 1932 cholera outbreak in Paris, France, so knowing that inspired me to continue composing. I think this year has made me realize that creativity is how I process life experiences, so volatile times can be productive – I know that sounds weird – but turmoil can stimulate creativity for artists. When you read the biographies of jazz musicians, it does seem that difficult experiences might have fostered creativity in others – names like Monk, Cannonball and Jaco come to mind.

Q: Interesting idea. So the lock down didn’t affect your productivity other than touring?

A: I think being at the piano was a great way for the music to pour out actually. Growing up, my family lived a relatively quiet and academic oriented life, so as a kid I used to fill long hours in a myriad of creative ways. I think that quiet can be a plus for creativity for many artists.

Q: Did you have a theme or concept you were composing towards based on what was happening in the U. S. and around the world?

A: I understand that many musicians prefer to work from a concept or assignment approach, but for me, music surfaces from my subconscious, not from my conscious mind, as a response to what is happening collectively. I let the music emerge: I don’t know what I will create and I don’t try and force a direction or try and control it. Later, I can tell what the concept is though.

Q: Which is…

A: I think we should acknowledge this unique time, but also boldly walk towards our future, taking along our past experiences and history, but let’s also look for what is coming around the corner – what’s next after this day, this year? And whatever happens, don’t forget to notice the beauty or goodness in life and not just remember the harshness of this time.

Q: Was that the idea you were showing on the cover with the vintage luggage and the roses – bringing the past with you along with the “beautiful” roses?

A: Yes!

Q: Tell us more about composing from your subconscious mind please.

A: When I sit at the piano the music starts to take form – almost as if it’s inside of me just waiting for the opportunity to be heard. When I compose I do not know what key or time signature I am in, or even what note I am playing. I just allow the tune to evolve and then quickly try and translate it into music notation on the computer after I have a direction I like. I don’t ever compose to say someone else’s book or poetry or a historical incident, or give myself assignments to write in certain keys, for example. I just allow the music to emerge unobstructed, and then later on, of course I will analyze and work with it. Initially though, I’m more of a passenger or observer letting the music unfold where it may. Sometimes it’s a melody, or maybe a cool riff, other times it’s a well-formed tune.

Q: Does that happen quickly? How long does it take to finish a song?

A: Initially it is pretty quick, but finishing can take months! I’m always looking for so many things: balance, expression, communication and good compositional form. But I also want music that’s fun to play, and that my bandmates and I can enjoy improvising on. The bedrock of a jazz musician is exploration – we constantly want to explore what can be done with music harmonically, rhythmically, and with improvisation, while connecting with our shared world.

Q: Do you have a favorite tune on this album?

A: That’s a hard question! The band liked Blues & Beauty a lot – I love Retro Road Trip best.

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