Lisa Hilton Archives - Lisa Hilton Music

silhouette of lisa against a sunset with the words a musical experience like an album, or art you hang on your wall, continues to add to your life for a long time, or maybe forever if it’s a favorite."

Life is Beautiful Q+A

March 1, 2022 by Lisa Hilton

Life is Beautiful, Lisa Hilton, Q&A

Q & A WITH COMPOSER/PIANIST/BAND LEADER, LISA HILTON ON HER NEW RELEASE LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL OUT APRIL 1, 2022 WITH BANDMATES RUDY ROYSTON/DRUMS AND LUQUES CURTIS/BASS

Q: Congratulations on your latest release: how many does this make?

LH: I’ve recorded twenty – five albums now!

Q: Congrats – that’s quite a few! You must enjoy the process…

LH: I do! Ever since I was a little girl I have enjoyed creating art, music and experiences too.

Q: Yeah, I read your liner notes and saw that you started composing very young.

LH: Well those were very simple tunes – I was not a Mozart! It wasn’t until I was a teenager that my composing really started to improve – I’d play a bit for my friends and they were always encouraging.

Q: What do you mean when you say you “like to create experiences?”

LH: I love to compose individual tunes, but the CD or album to me is something you experience over and over. A book, concert or movie you experience normally once, but a musical experience like an album, or art you hang on your wall, continues to add to your life for a long time, or maybe forever if it’s a favorite. Yes, recording an album is always a lot of work, but I enjoy crafting and collaborating on a new experience every year for the listener – it actually energizes me. Someone told me that our music has become “the soundtrack to his life” – I like that!

Q: Nice! Speaking of collaborators, you’ve got your same trio back with Rudy Royston & Luques Curtis. What’s it like working with them?

LH: They are terrific players of course, but they are also nice, and have the highest work ethic. I think all musicians right now are hungry to play, so it feels really good when we have the opportunity to get together all day in the studio when we record. Despite the masks and other challenges, musicians need to create music. It sounds simplistic, but that’s how we thrive.

Q: How long have you worked with Rudy & Luques?

LH: Hmmm… I think the first time I performed with Rudy was probably 2011 or 2013 in Hollywood with our quartet including JD Allen on sax, and with Luques we first played together at the Smithsonian in D.C. in 2018. We’ve had some great times performing – I think we’ve played together at Carnegie Hall/NYC two or three times – the last time was in early 2020 with a very nice ovation!

Q: Were your writing to a concept for life is beautiful?

LH: As the pandemic continues on, like most of us, I wish I could do something positive that would help others. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make everyone well, but that’s not the way this world, or science works.

Q: Yeah, I hear you.

LH: The only thing I thought that might help others, is for us to create jazz that is an uplifting experience wherever you might be listening: working at home or driving to work, having a picnic or a fancy dinner, being in nature or at the gym – an experience or playlist for our lives. We all need a break from the news, and a reminder that no matter what is going on in our world, we can still find or create beauty around us. So this music is a collection inspired by different genres, eras, and cultures: it’s jazz for the twenty first century, and it’s based on enjoying the often forgotten beauty that is around us every single day.

Q: I like that. It was interesting to me that you mentioned women like Lil Hardin Armstrong, Joni Mitchell and Clara Schumann in your liner notes, who were/are great leaders as musicians, but who are often overlooked for all the contributions they’ve made.

LH: It has been implied by some that there hasn’t been leadership by women in classical, jazz or opera, but that isn’t true. We might not hear music by women composers in our great theaters, performing arts centers or jazz clubs very often, but we should! These women, and many others led inspiring lives and made plenty of cultural contributions – their stories should be told and their work honored.

Q: Last question: the album photos are very unique – how did you get those?

LH: We were hiking, and it was a little wintery and cloudy, but there was a luminous late afternoon sun still glowing off the ocean. The photographer, Aaron Regan, spotted a lovely random moment and had me stand on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific. The photos actually remind me of this time in our world too – it’s a bit cloudy, but if you are looking… life is beautiful.

album cover for lisa hilton's transparent sky album. Lisa stands on some stone wearing a white dress and a hat

Lisa Hilton and her Trio with Rudy Royston and Luques Curtis Masterfully Blend Traditions in an Inspiring New Recording

July 28, 2021 by Lisa Hilton

Lisa Hilton, Luques Curtis, Rudy Royston, Transparent Sky

Lisa Hilton’s Transparent Sky is Available September 3/Pre-order Aug 3

As America and other countries re-emerge from the limitations of 2020, Lisa Hilton and her trio with Rudy Royston and Luques Curtis, enthusiastically embrace the moment with a vibrant new jazz offering titled Transparent Sky, that will inspire, uplift and motivate us all. Rich with glorious harmonies and unique compositions, Hilton’s swinging band radiates a sun bleached aura to listeners. Throughout the album Hilton, Royston and Curtis develop a surprisingly wide range of rhythmic ideas from a variety of genres, masterfully blending classic traditions with new approaches and upbeat style.

The recording jumps in with the Latin tinged “Santa Monica Samba,” quickly following with the equally energetic “Random Journey” on this collection of nine originals, plus one cover. “What developed this year was a LOT of movement and richer chords and harmonies – which makes sense when you consider how static last year was. As musicians we need to challenge and also entertain ourselves, so I think that’s why I subconsciously wrote in so many rhythm changes and multiple harmonic directions,” says Hilton. “Living In Limbo,” “Chromatic Chronicles,” “Fall Upon a Miracle” and “Infinite Tango,” highlight the multiple creative rhythms of Hilton’s compositions and showcase ample opportunities for Curtis’s agile bass, and the delightful details of Royston’s drums.

Hilton has a way with ballads, and “Nightingales & Fairy Tales” is no exception. With its slight nod to Bill Evans in the sixties, this has the making of a jazz classic for a twenty – first century audience. In the same vein, a cover of “God Bless The Child,” co-written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr, is a charmer, and like all the tracks here, is skillfully and originally presented without being forced. “For a long time I’ve been trying to record cover songs by women who were composers, because there is very little attention paid to them in jazz. I think it’s important to give women recognition for their range of talents, and by promoting them, maybe we will see less discrimination in music”, Hilton muses.

Slowing towards the album’s end, “Extraordinary Everyday Things” is a calm and expressive soundscape, but with a surprise twist, Hilton finishes up with the title track, “Transparent Sky” as a sonorous piano solo. “The melody is beautiful and has a bit of swing, but the harmonic ideas are quite chromatic and dissonant with overlapping/lingering sonorities between bar lines.” She says. “This piece needs to be played sensitively or it will sound harsh, but that is like our lives today – we are living in sensitive times and need to be aware of how we connect and communicate. The solo piano clearly delivers those delicate harmonies along with the emotions. It’s about accepting our world as it is, whatever may be happening at that moment. Tomorrow will bring what it will, but there is still beauty to be found if we look for it, amid the dissonance of our times.” Hilton explains.

Lisa Hilton’s new album, Transparent Sky, is available everywhere September 3rd, 2021 – Pre-Order August 3, 2021

About Lisa Hilton

Lisa Kristine Hilton is a distinctive composer of jazz, an acclaimed pianist, a bandleader and producer. Growing up in a small town on California’s central coast, she originally taught herself to play piano with a colored keyboard guide, writing her first simple songs around six years, before beginning studies in classical and twentieth century music starting at the age of eight. In college she switched majors from music, and graduated instead with a degree in art. This art background informs her musical creations: she describes “painting” compositions using improvisation, and harmony or “sculpting” with multiple rhythmic ideas from different cultures. Hilton’s music draws on classical traditions, and twentieth century modernists as well as classic American jazz greats such as Cole Porter, Thelonious Monk, and Horace Silver, as well as blues heroes Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. Hilton’s music annually tops the jazz charts and appears on popular shows such as Apple Music’s Pure Jazz Playlist. In the book, “The New Face of Jazz: An Intimate Look at Today’s Living Legends and Artists of Tomorrow” by Cicily Janus, it states that Hilton has been “compared to some of the best pianists in history.” Noting that the overwhelming majority of music performed in jazz clubs and concert halls today are of compositions written by male musicians, Hilton is outspoken about the importance of presenting, and listening, to music composed by women in these fields as well.

lisa hilton wearing a white top and a beige hat

FREEDOM

July 1, 2021 by Lisa Hilton

Holidays, Lisa Hilton, summer

My entire body seems to exhale right now when I say the word f r e e d o m in my mind: FREEDOM…. yes………freedom. It has more emotional significance on July 4^th this year than it did in 2020. This year we can go to the beach, we can see family and friends safely, and yes, we will BBQ festively and maybe even boisterously, right? We are shedding the restrictions of last year and stepping into new memories now – thankfully. We can all feel the intensity of these moments – whether it’s a restaurant meal, travel, or family filling our home again: returning to these freedoms is important for America on Independence Day this year.

So maybe this is the year to really Let Freedom Ring…. bring a guitar on that camping trip, grab a wooden flute or a kazoo, create a Independence Day playlist maybe, or just sing along while you wait for fireworks to America the Beautiful, The Star Spangled Banner, You’re a Grand Old Flag, My Country ‘Tis of Thee… it feels like a good to sing them loud and clear after everything that we went through last year! I’ll start the holiday with my Patriotic Muffins, (blueberry muffin recipe with both frozen blueberries and raspberries), we’ll walk on the beach, (last year the beaches were closed), then have a full table at our family BBQ. July 4^th, 2021 is a day we can be thankful for all the freedoms and independence we now enjoy again.

Wishing you good weather, a fun weekend and clear skies ahead!

– Lisa

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

A standing ovation with Luques Curtis, JD Allen, and Rudy Royston.

D I V E R S I T Y

June 22, 2020 by Lisa Hilton

Carnegie Hall, Diversity, J.D. Allen, Lisa Hilton, Luques Curtis, Rudy Royston

The history of jazz, born in America’s south, is also the history of race in our country, and the talented and determined individuals that contributed to our culture. Trumpeter Miles Davis and pianist Thelonious Monk were both attacked by police on different occasions, but unfortunately, I’m sure there were others too.

Pianist, composer, and band leader, Duke Ellington, was famous for having his own train to take his band on tour, but it was a necessity so that they had a place to eat and to stay since many hotels/restaurants were for white people only.

Yet Miles, Monk and Ellington still continue to be some of the greatest and most revered artists in the history of our country – Duke Ellington was even commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II to compose specifically for her, a lovely piece he entitled The Queen’s Suite.

Our jazz legends have enriched our culture and continue to inspire today. We are all familiar with their names: Miles, Monk and Ellington we easily recognize, but so are “Count” Basie, Nat “King” Cole, Louis “Pops” Armstrong, John Coltrane, Art Tatum, Charlie “Bird” Parker and Billie “Lady Day” Holiday: all household names today after fifty years or more. Their talents, as well as many others, have contributed not only to jazz worldwide, but to the culture and history of America.

These composers, performers and musicians create pride in our country’s cultural contributions in music, and are proof that Black lives have contributed and mattered throughout the history of America. Who are tomorrow’s legends? Hah, that’s a tricky one, right?

Since my first band, I have always reached out to today’s jazz luminaries to record and tour with, and I’ve been lucky they’ve joined me. I’ve always looked for great musicians from a variety of backgrounds because diversity of ideas naturally stimulates creativity. So today I’d like to share these modern day leaders – some of the most talented musicians and composers today – there are a lot of great memories we have shared over the years!

Thanks for letting me share some of my favorite musicians!

– Lisa

I’m Thinking of You…

April 16, 2020 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Lisa Hilton

Hello – wishing you good health and peace today,

It’s a bit tricky connecting with everyone right now, isn’t it? We want to say “Happy Easter/Passover/Spring” yet that word “happy” might be a bit optimistic for this week. I have been thinking of you – of course we all have been thinking of everybody: from medical workers, to grocery store staff, to friends, and family of course.

I think of musicians and artists everywhere and the theaters and services that support and present their talents. I’ve been thinking of my sister, a college teacher – like teachers everywhere – adjusting to teaching online while rearranging course work and navigating new software. I’ve been thinking of the new little babies too – that must be kept safe so they don’t even get to meet their grandparents in person.

I send my greetings here to everyone because we are all thinking of everyone around the world right now. This Sunday, like many, I won’t be able to gather with family, but through FaceTime I’ll share brunch in the morning, and Zoom in the evening with family members throughout California and in Italy. As always, I walked in nature this morning enjoying the beauty that always surrounds us.

Despite the current turmoil we are experiencing, I continue to compose. Spring has always been a great time for creativity to germinate – first as little ideas, (or as I like to call them, embryos), and then I begin to shape them as I’m doing now, into full compositions. It’s similar to the flowers that bud and then bloom or the little starts of my lettuce and squash seeds – the compositions start very small then quickly take shape as I nurture them.

While I’m looking for solutions for my composition, I often play on my piano music of the great composers I admire – this week Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Bill Evans, Cole Porter, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Paul Simon too. So many great songs between them! I always seem to have lots of ideas, but I am never sure what the final product will be – it is always a surprise and a part of the mystery and joy of creation.

Enjoy your day, and know that I am thinking of you, and hoping that our our lives will all be blossoming again soon.

– Lisa

You Might Feel Better If You Were Practicing Right Now!

March 18, 2020 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Lisa Hilton, piano

Huh? Uh… yeah… that’s what I said, and what I believe: on most days, and especially during a stressful week (yes we all had one) playing your instrument is a R E L I E F. It’s really a gift to yourself to take the time to think about something else – anything other than what is actually happening in your life.

Playing an instrument takes focus, allowing you to switch off those pesky emotions that come along with turbulent times, an overburdened schedule, or say a Chutes & Ladders kinda world. Pull out some old tunes – the ones your mom or grandfather used to play – who cares what it is, just get out some music that mildly interests you and have a go at it.

Or play the most beloved pieces in the world – that’s always a lovely time playing masterful compositions, or jazz favorites are reliably fun, too. Especially if you, or someone, can sing along. If you’re like me, I actually like to sight read the most difficult pieces ever written – that’s fun for me and there’s no room in your brain for fears when you’re caught up in Beethoven’s classics!

You name it: movie themes, love songs, Disney tunes, lullabies, and nursery rhymes! Rock guitar, video game themes, pop, EDM, holiday tunes, Motown, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Green Day, Lady Gaga! Let’s face it – Stevie Wonder is always a winner!

It’s relaxing and FUN to take your mind off of whatever else is going on in the world, it really is. Just start, and see where it takes you and leave your judgements and perfectionism behind, because that never feels good, right? If you’re really on a roll, maybe finish off with some scales if you feel like it. You’ll be surprised at what a nice time you can have – just you and your instrument. I don’t know what else in the world can uplift the spirit better than music, and creating your own, in your own way – whatever level that is – is really cool.

– Lisa

I’ve never seen a better example of music lifting spirits in these tough times. Italians come together to sing to each other from their balconies.

We Had A Great Time!

March 10, 2020 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Category 1, Lisa Hilton, piano, Radio Jazz Charts

Hello, hello!

As you can see we had a great time this weekend performing in San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Los Angeles. It was great playing with Luques Curtis, JD Allen and Rudy Royston again – the music from Chalkboard Destiny really comes “alive” in a performance. As usual, JD was his volcanic self – he really is a master isn’t he? Rudy is Mr. Detail – captivating an audience with a single tap on his drum. And Luques is everything you would want in a bassist! Wonderful audiences too!

We want to thank everyone for the support for Chalkboard Destiny – hope I’m not forgetting anyone??
ACTUAL JAZZ/Uruguay, ACTUEL JAZZ/Canada, ACUSTICA GLOBAL /Argentina, ARTSOUND/Australia, BBC GLOBAL RADIO 1/UK, BBC RADIO GLOUCESTER/UK, BBS RADIO LAFAYETTE/CA, CAIRNS FM/PLANET JAZZ/Australia, CFBX/Canada, CHLY/Canada, CIBL, CILU/Canada, CIWS/Canada, CJUM/Canada, CKIA/Canada, CKSJ/Canada, COTE SUD 90.3FM/France, COULEURS JAZZ RADIO/France, FMR RADIO/France, FRESH 104.8/New Zealand, GAIA PRIME RADIO/MA, GEOFF FM/France, HPPR/HI, JAZZ FROM GALLERY 41, JAZZ HEART RADIO/S.Korea, JAZZ RADIO DC, JAZZ 24/7/MA, JAZZ ZONE/Canada, KKRW/CA, JOLT CAST PODCAST, JUST JAZZ/Australia, K107 KIRKCALDY COMMUNITY RADIO/JAZZ LOUNGE/Scotland, KANU/KANH/KANV/KS, KBEM/MN, KBOO/OR, KCCK/IA, KCSB/CA, KCSM/CA, KDSU/ND, KDTN/SDC DIGITAL/CA, KEDM/CA, KEWU/WA, KFAI/MN, KIOS/NE, KKUP/CA, KLASSIK RADIO/Germany, KMNO/HI, KMUW/Night Train/KS, KNOM/AK, KPBX/WA, KPFT/TX, KRSC/KY, KRTU/TX, KSCR/CA, KSDS/CA, KTEP/TX, KUBU/CA, KUNM/NM, KUSD/SD, KUVO/KVJZ/CO, KVNF/CO, KVSF/CA, KYGT/CO, GUIDO’S LOUNGE/Netherlands, KZFR/CA, L’AUTRE RADIO/France, LOCOS POR EL JAZZ RADIO /Dominican Republic, Lubeck FM/Germany, MAX FM/Canada, MGZC “B Side Gourmet”/NC, MUSIC BOX RADIO/Belgium, MUSIK REDACTEUR/Germany, OUTSIGHT RADIO, PACJAZ/HI, RADIO 90FM/Netherlands, RADIO ARC EN CIEL/France, RADIO ART/Greece, RADIO BOSSA JAZZ/Brazil, RADIO DOMELDO/Romania, RADIO KANSAS/KS, RADIO 90FM/Netherlands, RADOP LOTTE/Germany, RADIO MOVIMENTO/Portugal, RADIO PALAFRUGELL/Spain, RADIO MUZKOM/Russia, RADIO RICK ALL THAT’S JAZZ/Netherlands, RADIO TUNES/FL, RADIO VIDEO/Ireland, RADIO Z/Germany, SOLAR RADIO/UK, SOUL POWER RADIO/UK, SOUND FUSION RADIO/UK, SUNMUSIC.NET, SUN-NET That Jazz with Tessil Collins/MA, STINGRAY/Canada, SWISS GROOVE RADIO/Switzerland, TAINT RADIO/NC, THE GLOBAL VOICE/WQNA/Canada, THE NETWORK RADIO/online, UBUNTU FM/ S. Africa, URBAN JAZZ RADIO/UK, URQUIZA FM/Argentina, VILLA BOTTA RADIO/Belgium, VOICE OF AMERICA/NWDVR/NJ, WCSF/IL, WECI/IN, WESM/IN, WESS/PZ, WFDU/NJ, WFIT/NY, WFIU/IN, WFSU/FL, WFWM/MD, WGMC/NY, WGVU/MI, WHPC/NY, WHRV/VA, WICR/IN, WJKR/OH, WJSU/MS, WKNH/NH, WLNZ/MI, WMBH/ME, WMNF/COLORS OF JAZZ/FL, WMPG/ME, WMUA/MA, WMUH/ME, WNMC/MI, WNMU/MI, WNTI/NJ, WPKBWO. WORLD JAM RADIO/UK, WORLD OF JAZZ PODCAST, WOWD/MD, WPRB/KVMR/MA, WRIR/VA,WRPI/NY, WRTI/PA, WSSB/SC, WUCF/FL, WUMR/TN, WUSF/WUSR/FL, WUWF/FL, WWSP/WI, WWUH/CT, WXNZ/ME, WXOJ/WMCB/MA, WXUT/WXTS The H Factor Jazz/OH, ZMR/LA, 2 BACR/Australia, 3MBR/Australia

Take care and enjoy your week!
Lisa

C R A Z Y W E A T H E R

February 21, 2019 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Lisa Hilton

#jazz, #LisaHiltonMusic, #music, Carnegie Hall, Creative, lisa hilton, zipper hall

Hi there!

I hope you are making it through our C R A Z Y W E A T H E R winter! We’ve had a lot of rain in SoCal, but everything is fine where I live and the plants and trees have never looked healthier. Years of drought and now above average rainfall makes for lush green foliage – something we haven’t seen for a while. There should be a lot of wildflowers very soon too.

I had a GREAT TIME performing at Zipper Hall in dtla (you can tell by the smile in the pic!) and had a little birthday celebration afterwards that was fun. Carnegie Hall was wonderful with my trio – I always enjoy playing there, and performing with Luques Curtis and Mark Whitfield Jr. was a highlight! Here are the UPCOMING PERFORMANCES…. please see if you can come:FEB 28 / THURSDAY / SF JAZZ/ JOE HENDERSON LAB /8PM https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/lisa-hilton-new-music-from-her-album-oasis/ A terrific club near great restaurants in Hayes Valley.

MARCH 30 / SATURDAY / KERRYTOWN CONCERT HOUSE / 8PM Ann Arbor, MI 48104 http://www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com/index.php/events/event/lisa-hilton/ My first time performing in Ann Arbor, Michigan

APRIL 2 / TUES/BUDDY GUY’S LEGENDS / CHICAGO/IL / 5:30 PM https://chicagolighthouse.org/event/jazz-night/ ALWAYS fun here – it’s an early show, so there’s time to go to another show afterwards – the club is right off Michigan Ave.

For those of you who like to plan ahead….January 9th/ 2020 at Carnegie Hall/NYC if you haven’t gone to a performance there yet, maybe next year?

Wonderful news: OASIS was #1 at Amazon for New Release for a while: Amazon.com – quite a nice surprise to see that. (If you’ve got a moment please leave a review at Amazon) OASIS is currently in the Top 14 at JazzWeek Radio Charts – down a bit from #6 recently. So we’ve been very happy with the response to the new music. And we’re always happy for praise: “Hilton’s artistry never waivers: her compositional skills and classically informed arrangements are uniformly smart and her playing has never been less than inspired… a master of melodicism and dynamics.” Jazz Times/ Jeff Tamarkin and “Reliably exceptional – that is how I would describe Lisa Hilton. … Her composing and performance could be described as existing between impressionism and expressionism, but the one thing all her performances have is a heartbeat. Swinging-ly grounded in the beat she establishes is where Hilton’s charm shines the brightest.”C. Michael Bailey/All About JazzSomething new

Lastly…I’m kind of excited about -if you have a moment here is the new project I’ve been working on – a website where I will begin music licensing for film/television/websites or other needs: Ruby Slippers Productions

Take care and hope to see you this spring at a concert!

Lisa

IT’S BEEN HOT…..

August 13, 2018 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Lisa Hilton, piano

jazz, lisa hilton, piano

Hello from the beach!

If the weather’s hot, and the water’s warm… better be sure your music matches! Here’s a few selections to take your mind off the thermometer:

HEAT WAVE

HOT SUMMER SAMBA

TOO HOT

I’ll be in the studio very very soon…. new music coming before the end of the year….

Stay cool!

Lisa
Award winning jazz composer/pianist

Photos by David Oscar Flores
LisaHiltonMusic.com
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