Blog - Lisa Hilton Music

Pianist Lisa Hilton photo by David Oscar Flores

Happy Summer!

June 7, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Hi and Happy Summer!

I think we’re all hoping that summer will bring great weather, cool experiences and hot romance – well maybe two out of the three? I haven’t talked much lately because I’ve been busy updating my website – that’s right, LisaHiltonMusic.com is now mobile friendly and MUCH easier to use. It’s easy to find sheet music, (even FREE sheet music) as well as CD’s, and digital downloads, (at the cheapest prices too!). For listening there are more options besides radio, so there are also lots of easy links to playlists, as well as listening to our music on streaming services like Spotify and Pandora, and of course over 100 YouTube Videos now too, all on one site. Ok, and if you like pictures, there’s a few more of those too, as well as easy links to social networks. I remember my very first website was in 2001- just a homepage then I think, and we didn’t have “mobile friendly” then, so my website has really come a long way. All in all, it’s much easier to find information as well as music. I hope you like it!

Thank you again to everyone who has supported our current release, “NOCTURNAL” including fans, radio everywhere, reviewers, audience members for the tour and those of you who bought the music. As an independent label this support is ESPECIALLY appreciated.

So what’s next? I now start what I call my Composing Season. (After that comes Album Producing, then Promotion then Tour Seasons.) This is my FAVORITE thing that I do, (“the world knows I love to compose” is my motto!), so I like to do it in the summer with the longer days and generally upbeat moods. So what will it be this year? I never know what compositions will come out, but I do remember composing the “Midnight Sonata” and just having SO much fun last June! What will it be this year? I hope it will be just as exciting of course! My studio and mind are all clean and clear for whatever will come.

Wishing you a great June,

Lisa

CraZy WeAtheR again!

April 8, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Jazz, Lisa Hilton, piano jazz

jazz, lisa hilton, piano

Hi there,

Well I’d like to keep those “Happy Spring” wishes going, but the weather doesn’t seem to be co-operating does it? Drought-scape SoCal has rain today, the north- east had recent snow, Arkansas got flooded and it’s snowing in Chicago right now! No matter what the weather, if you’re looking for and easy relaxed night in NYC Sunday please come by my last show of the season at ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL/Stage 3 at 8:30 pm – there are even cheap tickets online: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1090601. I also have a stop in Boston for a Berklee College for a Board meeting then a small performance in support of The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired, so I’m hoping the weather will settle down!

THANK YOU everyone who not only came to the Pepperdine show and Portland shows, but we had a really fun show, (and full house) at SFJazz – quite a few family members at all those shows – I really appreciate that! Thanking everyone at radio too – spending most of Jan-March on the JazzWeek Radio chart and still on the ZMR radio chart too for our release NOCTURNAL. Your support is really appreciated!

Jazz Times produced 2 new videos you might be interested in. The first on my lifelong love of the piano, my introduction to jazz and a bit about my creative process as a musician: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nJknWIgz30 The second one is on my work with sight-impaired youth, the Newport Jazz Festival and the importance of the arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S08Ldjd6BxY

Here’s a new article, (easily translated), from the beautiful Punte del Este/Uruguary…http://www.estilopunta.com/interview/el-mundo-seria-mas-feliz-si-todos-escucharamos-j and from the cool Canadian Riveting Riffs website is an interview: http://www.rivetingriffs.com/Lisa%20Hilton%20interview%202016.html

Don’t forget, NOCTURNAL is easily available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nocturnal/id1058965612 Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Nocturnal-Lisa-Hilton/dp/B017Y6AQRE and of course, Lisa Hilton Music: www.LisaHiltonMusic.com You also can listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal or Pandora, or on YouTube or SoundCloud under LisaHiltonMusic. (PS there’s some new video up on YouTube too!)

Wishing ALL OF US good weather this weekend! Hope you can come by Rockwood Music Hall on NYC Sunday too.

Take care,
Lisa

Reviews for NOCTURNAL

April 6, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Lisa Hilton, piano, piano jazz

jazz, jazz and piano, lisa hilton

NOCTURNAL REVIEWS:

Lisa Hilton/piano, Terell Stafford/trumpet, JD Allen/sax, Gregg August/bass, Antonio Sanchez/drums

“No one plays, writes of puts together a band better than Hilton. Another in a growing list of deep excellent works from Hilton.” Russ Davis/Voice of America/Jazz America with 134,000,000 listeners

Hilton has, “Melodic gifts and song-form clarity as both a composer and player. Beauty of all sorts is abundant here.” Jeff Simon/Buffalo News

“The album allows Hilton to demonstrate her mastery of the keyboard. While her compositions are frequently built around melodies of a Horace Silver-esque hookiness, there’s a lot of romanticism and classical technique in her solos. Her music offers a unique blend of concepts, of past and future, that’s quite beautiful.” Phil Freeman/Burning Ambulance

“Lisa Hilton is one of the finest musical impressionists…she explores a stunning amount of original material on NOCTURNAL.” Ken Franckling/Jazz Notes March 9, 2016

“A spirited ride through the urban nightlife with a montage of colors, sounds and images. Hilton plays the piano exquisitely, & seduces the listener with beauty & elegance.” Riveting Riffs/Canada

“Traditional modern jazz is represented by a contemporary style, and newly recorded by the long-awaited quintet of Lisa Hilton…mainly original songs with a fresh melodic beauty”. HMV.com

“NOCTURNAL is simply phenomenal. The composing and playing on this album is a tour de force. Hilton and her band have executed it flawlessly – truly an amazing group producing truly amazing music.. This is the best album I’ve heard in a decade, maybe in two decades. Deserving of record of the year on anyone’s list.” KVNF Radio Colorado

“One of the most promising jazz composers today…” Estilopunta/ Punta del Este/Uruguay

“A collection of hard-hitting originals… her strongest outing yet.” George Harris/JazzWeekly

“Lisa Hilton has done a remarkable job.” The New York Jazz City Record

“Lisa Hilton just gets better.” WTJU Radio Virginia

“Highly anticipated….” New York Cool

“What a wonderful album.” Exploring Jazz/WUNH New Hampshire

“There is a lot of dynamic piano playing coming from Lisa on her 18th album. Nocturnal is a musical expression of countless emotions…. Hilton’s band features Terell Stafford (t), Antonio Sanchez (d) and returning from Horizons, bassist Gregg August with J.D. Allen on tenor sax. This is a formidable team that doesn’t disappoint!” O’s Place Jazz

“A highly prolific post-bop pianist and her combo dexterously handle the music.” Milwaukee Journal

NOCTURNAL…”Speaks subtly of Satie and sublimely of Ellington…. Hilton has put together the right band and chosen the right repertoire.” About.com

“Always a fine experience to listen to a new cd of Lisa Hilton. Each song, even after many listening turns, stays fresh, and you will hear always something new that you haven’t noticed before. Not possible without her fellow musicians, like Gregg August on bass and Antonio Sanchez on drums, J.D. Allen, sax and Terell Stafoord, trumpet/flugelhorn. I like “Whirlwind”, and I believe it fits also for Lisa. A great album!” Jan Nederveen/Radio 794/Netherlands

“Remarkable emotional depth and clarity from all band members…” World Jazz News

“Hilton’s compositions and melodies bear repeat listening sessions.” Audiophile Audition

“Distinctive originals that are influenced by a wide swath of music.” Dan Ouellette/Zeal!nyc

“Beautiful project! Lisa Hilton delivers once again with another impressive delight!” Style Quarterly

“Wow! It’s just great – the best yet!” 2MAXFM Australia

“Hilton displays a personal touch and approach in both composition & delivery.” JazzWeekly

“Poetic original compositions.”AnimaJazz/Pisa, Italy

“What a beautiful set- my kind of jazz! A superb effort!” 2RRR FM Sydney, Australia

“Lisa Hilton collaborated with prestigious musicians, among them drummer Antonio Sanchez. Original songs and jazz classics, relaxed atmosphere and fiery rhythms; this and much more.” Soulful Corner/Italy

HAPPY SPRINGTIME!

March 22, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Jazz, piano

jazz, lisa hilton, piano

Hello and Happy Spring!

I realize that not everyone is getting spring time weather yet – I do wish everyone luck through any “spring” storms. It’s been wetter in the west than the last 5 years, so that’s a good thing for us. The meteorologists are still hoping for a “Miracle in March” – meaning MORE rain, but the west has made a lot of forward progress on drought recovery. Yeah!

My news? NOCTURNAL continues to do well at radio which warms my heart – going on two months now – thank you radio everywhere! I’ve also been having SO much fun touring and performing. Carnegie Hall was, of course very enjoyable in January with my band, and then recently I had a terrific show at Pepperdine University. (I’m happy to say there is video from that show that I’ll post soon too). I also had my usual stop at Junior Blind of America in Los Angeles – what wonderful students they have there! Last weekend, a matinee performance in Portland (see the photo above), was a new spot for me, and I got to hang with my sister on that trip too. (THANK YOU everyone who came out to these shows!) Upcoming is an INCREDIBLY COOL venue, SFJazz Center in San Francisco on Thursday March 24 8pm. Why is this spot so, uh, hot? It’s brand new, great architecture with outstanding sound. It’s in the hipster Hayes Valley neighborhood, so that means it’s easy to get a bite or a drink nearby before or after. The room itself is exciting though – mainly glass that actually interacts with the performance and the performer. Not only can you see people walking by outside, or watch dusk settling, as it gets dark the reflections inside the room from the glass create their own impressionistic energy. Please come if you can, or tell your friends or family -it really is a cool venue and (hopefully!!) the show will be pretty good too! Tickets here: http://ticketing.sfjazz.org/single/selectSeating.aspx?p=8833&tnewq=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&tnewp=93b99779-9494-4cfc-8944-3091cb9f5231&tnewts=1456769189&tnewc=sfjazz&tnewe=march1onsale&tnewrt=Idle&tnewh=7049e5adb1ecfe56f6a0c72

After that I’ll head back to NYC for Sunday April 10th, 8:30 pm at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3 – a nice stop after dinner in the east village: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1090601

Journalist/photographer, Ken Franckling, wrote in a recent issue of Jazz Notes: “As jazz player/composers go, Lisa Hilton is one of the finest musical impressionists. Her art comes from the piano rather than canvas as she explores a stunning amount of original material on Nocturnal, her 18th recording. There is much to dig here, from the Latin-tinged moodiness of “A Spark in the Night” to the musical complexities of the trio piece “Seduction,” with support from bassist Gregg August and drummer Antonio Sanchez. There are two covers here, with trumpeter Terell Stafford featured on “Willow Weep for Me” and tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen on The Pixies’ “Where is my Mind?” This project underscores the concept that for keen listeners, jazz is all about emotion – whether you are writing it or playing it”. http://kenfrancklingjazznotes.blogspot.com

Just in case you need any quick links to NOCTURNAL: http://www.amazon.com/Nocturnal-Lisa-Hilton/dp/B017Y6AQRE iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nocturnal/id1058965612 or of course, http://lisahiltonmusic.com/product-category/cd-albums/

Take care and enjoy the beauty of this time of year as much as you can!

Lisa

Thank you, thank you….

March 9, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Blog

jazz, jazz and piano, lisa hilton, SFJazz

Hello!

I wanted to thank EVERYONE: family/friends/neighbors/fans/Pepperdine staff/students and ULTRA fans who flew in from out of town, to the performance Friday night at Pepperdine University/Smothers Theatre. It was a lot of fun for me to be back in Malibu with my “home court advantage” – Pepperdine was one of the first major theatres I played 16 years ago. I loved hearing remarks afterwards – this was my favorite: “I felt like I just had a brain massage!” That puts a smile on my face! I heartily applaud everyone who came and supported live music/arts – always a cool thing to do. You can read about the performance here at Jazz Weekly( George took the photo above too: http://www.jazzweekly.com/2016/03/lisa-hiltonpepperdine-03-04-15/

We have a brand new, Official Video for NOCTURNAL. Please let me know if you like it. It’s very impressionistic, and was done by a talented college student at CSUN. I like to see our music used in different ways – my favorite parts are that drum solo intro and the soft colored shapes – I’m curious if you like it too: Official NOCTURNAL video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISCTrwYaPVQ

I’ll be back in school tomorrow for my seventh performance at Junior Blind of America in Los Angeles – always one of my favorite stops-for a 4pm show for special needs students. https://juniorblind.org/web/index.php/news-events/events/lisa-hilton-concert

I’d really LOVE to get everyone I can to my show this Saturday in Portland – please pass this info along to anyone you know in the area, ok? March 12, 2016 Saturday 3:30PM Classic Pianos Portland 3003 SE Milwaukie Ave (503) 546-6522 http://portland.classicpianos.net/events http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2495400

If you’ve never been to SFJazz it’s time you go! Last year I really enjoyed performing there – the venue is really beautiful with lots of windows onto the street that reflect the performance in interesting ways. The Hayes Valley neighborhood is a cool place to grab a bite before or a drink after – please come by or recommend this to your friends. March 24th/Thursday 8pm SFJazz 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco (826)920-5299. http://ticketing.sfjazz.org/single/selectSeating.aspx?p=8833&tnewq=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&tnewp=93b99779-9494-4cfc-8944 3091cb9f5231&tnewts=1456769189&tnewc=sfjazz&tnewe=march1onsale&tnewrt=Idle&tnewh=7049e5adb1ecfe56f6a0c723c5f49a60

I’m playing at an intimate spot in NYC coming up – I hear it’s a great place to hear live music in the east village. If you buy tix ahead they are cheaper than at the door: April 10th/Sunday 8:30pm Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3. 185 Orchard Street/NYC (212) 477-4155 http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com/
An interesting interview is up here: “Pianist Lisa Hilton is one of the most relentlessly productive artists in jazz, but the critical class… ” Burning Ambulance: http://burningambulance.com/2016/03/01/interview-lisa-hilton/
Thank you to radio everywhere too – still doing terrific on the radio charts for NOCTURNAL. We all really appreciate the support for independent artists. Easy to buy NOCTURNAL here: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nocturnal-Lisa-Hilton/dp/B017Y6AQRE or iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nocturnal/id1058965612 CD, sheet music or downloads here too of course: www.lisahiltonmusic.com or just listen on Spotify, Apple Music or SoundCloud.

Thank you for your support and wishing you a great week and soon to be SPRINGTIME!

Lisa

GETTING EXCITED…

February 22, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Lisa Hilton

jazz, lisa hilton, piano

IMG_6008_FINAL Hi There,
Hope you had a nice weekend. I did a big 2 hour bike ride on the beach – so fun! Back to work today! I’m getting really excited about my upcoming performances – practicing away has been a lot of fun, but of course that’s what pianists enjoy doing! I really like the music a lot, and I hope everyone else will too. Here are the dates and times again – PLEASE pass the information to any friends that you have in these cities who might be interested, and please encourage anyone to bring students – I love playing for all ages.

-LISA HILTON PERFORMS NOCTURNAL: March 4, 2016/Friday 8pm Pepperdine University, Malibu/CA (310) 506-4522 http://pepperdinearts.ticketforce.com/lisahilton About this event: http://www.malibusurfsidenews.com/resident-music-composer-return-pepperdine-performance
Critically acclaimed composer/pianist Lisa Hilton debuts new compositions from her 2016 release, NOCTURNAL in this solo piano show. Hilton’s impressionistic “sound paintings” continue to explore the soundscape of jazz and blues alongside classical, modernist, and avant-garde ideas. This performance includes her beautiful and evocative, “Midnight Sonata,” which expresses the classical form merging with the freedom of American jazz and blues. Hilton,“has been compared to some of the best pianists in history.” Don’t miss this exciting solo piano performance and check out for yourself what DownBeat calls, “A deeply expressive style.” Students of all ages encouraged. Adults: $25 Student tickets $10. Watch: “Seduction” Video: https://www.youtube.co/watch?v=zYGW07qD7jA
-March 10/Thursday/4pm Junior Blind of America/Los Angeles (For special needs students) http://juniorblind.org/web/index.php/news-events/events/lisa-hilton-concert

-March 12/Saturday/3:30 -4:30 pm CLASSIC PIANOS/PORTLAND/OR 3003 MILWAUKIE AVE. (503)546-6522. Tickets $12.50. An intimate afternoon piano performance. Students encouraged. http://portland.classicpianos.net/events/132-lisa-hilton-nocturnal-cd-release-event

-March 24/Thursday/8pm pm SFJAZZ: 201 Franklin Street/ San Francisco/CA (826)920-5299 Tickets on sale 2/24: This is a great neighborhood for dinner or drinks before the solo piano show. https://www.sfjazz.org/events/lisahiltonperformsnocturnal

-April 10/Sunday/8:30pm Rockwood Music Hall/Stage 3 185 Orchard Street/NYC (212)477-4155. Tickets $10 in advance/$12 door. An intimate solo piano show: 21 and up: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1090601

Here’s a brand new video for NOCTURNAL by the director James Grant – it’s an impressionistic view of the spirit if the night – what do you think of it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISCTrwYaPVQ and a new review from Jeff Simon/Buffalo News: http://buffalo.com/2016/02/13/news/music/listening-post-maestra-falletta-tackles-stravinsky-jazz-from-lisa-hilton-and-piano-recitals-from-grigory-sokolov/

And of course a super thank you to radio EVERYWHERE for playing our album NOCTURNAL from Antonio, Terell, Gregg, JD, and myself. (Congrats go out of course to Antonio Sanchez too for winning another Grammy for his work on the film score for Birdman). Let me know if I’ve missed any stations! WAER/NY, WBLU/WBLV/MI, WCLK/GA, WDNA/FL, WECI/IN, WERU/ME, WFCR/MA, WFMT/CA, WFDU/Jazz& What’s more/NJ, WGMC/NY, WGVU/MI, WHRV/VA, IL, WJSU/MS, WLRN/FL, WNCU/NC, WPPB/NJ, WQSU/PA, WRIR/VA, WRTI/PA, WSHA/NC, WSNC/WSSU/NC, WTJU/VA, WUEV/IN, WUMR/TN, WWOZ/LA, WWSP/WI, WWUH/CT, WXPN/PA, WYCE/MI, KANU/KANH/KANV/KS, KBEM/MN, KCBX/CA, KCCK/IA, KCSB/CA, KCSM/CA, KEWU/WA, KIOS/NE, KKRN/KWMR/CA, KKUP/CA, KMBH/KMHD/TX, KNTU/TX, KRFC/CO, KSDS/CA, KSJS/KSJD/CA, KTEP/online, KTSU/TX, KUSD/SD, KUVO/KVJX/CO, KUTX/TX, KVNF/KUMT/CO, KXPR/KYJZ/CA, KYGT/CO, 2MaxFm/Australia, ClassicFm/Abu Dhabi, All Jazz Radio/South Africa, AnimaJazz/Italy, Apple Music, Echoes/syndicated, Hawaii Public Radio/HI, Jazz After Hours/syndicated, Jazz from Gallery 41/CA, JazzHappeningNow/syndicated, IO Radio/UK, M3Radio/NY, MOJARadio/syndicated, No Solo Jazz/Spain, Otras Musicas/Spain, Peaceful Radio/Netherlands, Radio Despi/Spain, Radio Jazz/Uruguay, PRX Jazz/syndicated, Radio Swiss Jazz/Switzerland, Radio Valencia/CA, RadioVideoJazz/online, Rhapsody, RTVA/Spain, Soul&Jazz/UK, Spotify, Taint Radio/syndicated, Toppy Jazz/Netherlands, Radio Rick/Netherlands, BO FM/Canada, RLI/Madagascar, JazzCoRadio/Australia, Radio 794/Netherlands, Spectrum Jazz/online, CIWS/Canada, 2RRfm/Australia, Solar Radio/UK, Pacific Jazz, Canoefm/Canada, CFRO/Canada, CUIT/Canada, BBC Radio Stoke/UK, Scotland69fm/UK, 2NVR Australia, O’s Place Jazz, Output Radio/Netherlands, Style Quarterly Radio/online, West Gippsland Community Radio/Australia, …. Thank you all! www.lisahiltonmusic.com
LINKS: https://www.facebook.com/LisaHiltonMusic Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nocturnal-Lisa-Hilton/dp/B017Y6AQRE iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nocturnal/id1058965612

Nocturnal Music Video Released!

February 17, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Antonio Sanchez, Blog, Jazz, piano jazz

I am happy to announce the completion of the music video for my song Nocturnal. Directed by James Grant, and shot by Cinematographer Blake Gaytan, the video delves into the spirit of the night and the many themes that the cover of darkness embodies. Take a look and enjoy!

NOCTURNAL REVIEWS so far…..

February 12, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Press

composer, jazz, lisa hilton, piano

EARLY REVIEWS FOR NOCTURNAL

“No one plays, writes or puts together a band better than this great, talented lady! NOCTURNAL is another in a growing list of deep excellent works from Hilton.” Russ Davis/Voice of America

“NOCTURNAL is simply phenomenal. The composing and playing on this album is a tour de force. A quantum lead forward outward and upward for Hilton as a composer and she and her band have executed it flawlessly – truly an amazing group producing truly amazing music.. This is the best album I’ve heard in a decade, maybe in two decades. Deserving of record of the year on anyone’s list.” KVNF Radio

“Traditional modern jazz is represented by a contemporary style, and newly recorded by the long-awaited quintet of Lisa Hilton. Antonio Sanchez on drums, in front of JD Allen tenor, along with the wonderful trumpet of Terrell Stafford, mainly original songs with a fresh melodic beauty – her piano it’s great”. HMV.com

“A collection of hard-hitting originals… her strongest outing yet.” George Harris/JazzWeekly

“Lisa Hilton has done a remarkable job.” The New York Jazz City Record

“Lisa Hilton just gets better.” WTJU Radio

“Highly anticipated….” New York Cool

“What a wonderful album.” Exploring Jazz/WUNH

NOCTURNAL…”Speaks subtly of Satie and sublimely of Ellington…. Hilton has put together the right band and chosen the right repertoire to demonstrate her treasure trove of musical influences…..” About.com

“Remarkable emotional depth and clarity from all band members…” World Jazz News

“Hilton’s compositions and melodies bear repeat listening sessions. I found myself returning to this CD several times…” Audiophile Audition

“Composer/pianist/bandleader Lisa Hilton composes distinctive originals that are influenced by a wide swath of music.” Dan Ouellette/Zeal!nyc

“Wow! It’s just great – the best yet!” Pete Hammond/2MAXFM Australia

“Excellent skill in the use of the piano, well constructed compositions, unique musical atmospheres, brilliant improvisation and outstanding melodies: these would be the qualities of the Californian composer and pianist Lisa Hilton. The entire disk provides, as is common in the music of Hilton, countless moments of emotion with the roles of accompanying musicians many times reaching virtuosity. This new album has brought together an impressive and brilliant group of musicians who are no strangers to the music, offering a palette of rhythms and colorful sounds. Once again, the music of Lisa Hilton is a success. Congratulations Ms Hilton!” No Solo Jazz/ Barcelona, Spain

“Poetic original compositions.” AnimaJazz/Pisa, Italy

“What a beautiful set! I love the style. A superb effort!” 2RRR FM Sydney, Australia

Listen/Watch: Soundcloud or YouTube/LisaHiltonMusic www.LisaHiltonMusic.com