New Year’s Eve is just a few days away…
And one of the wildest years is coming to a close. Do you think next year will be calmer or crazier as we enter what is referred to as the Age of Aquarius? Hmmm… being an optimist, I’m going to observe and see how it all goes without pre-judging. I do like new beginnings though - the new year and my birthday on January 5th always give me a boost of energy and creative ideas: what will I create next? What will 2025 bring?
I like to celebrate all the good things that happened in the past year. Richard Rogers wrote of “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…” but my favorite things are composing and then creating new music in the studio - this year at the famous EastWest Studios in Hollywood with the uber talented Luques Curtis, Igmar Thomas and Rudy Royston. The album we created, Lucky All Along, is actually my fav album of all time: it’s filled with hope and joy along with jazz, blues and Latin vibes. We sprinkled in a bit of pop, bop, country and gospel alongside upbeat rhythms and memorable melodies too. I’m really happy with the sound from all our amazing engineers: Fernando Lodeiro, Jay Newland, Larry Mah and Eric Boulanger, and I think the band played extraordinarily well. What a thrill that the album was voted one of the Best Albums of 2024 by All About Jazz!
My great memories of 2024 also include the March tour with our band. Perfect weather across the US helped of course, and the fact that we played Maryland just before the bridge collapsed was also good timing! Large and enthusiastic audiences encouraged us of course, and playing together was incredibly fun. When Igmar cuts loose just a few feet from me it’s a remarkable experience. Rudy always has sounds that surprise and delight our ears. I love it when Luques lets his big bass take over, and I really appreciate how much he communicates to me with just a simple look. I did have one concern from the tour though: ticket scalping at a couple places - Carnegie Hall was one of them - created new stress. When you’ve got ten scalpers selling $200 tickets, you might not see the real price of $40 listed by the venue.
As usual, our new album heads out to radio as Holiday music ends. (How many years in a row is it now?) A new year, new music and uplifting new vibes created by real people playing real instruments (no A.I. here). Starting from a small town on the west coast reaching across America and on to Australia, Japan, UK, Switzerland, Italy and hopefully everywhere, we hope to share with everyone. As musicians, we don’t know how to make the world a better place, but with the start of every year we hope to lift and connect with others through our creativity and skills. Each year my memories take me back to my early albums sent to radio stations, when I called and chatted with hosts - some who are now long time friends. I mourn the passing of some hosts and the loss of some jazz stations too, but every year I (and we), continue to hope to lift our audiences, lift jazz, lift women in music and connect the world through our efforts. Please wish us a bit of luck!
In case you are interested, here is a podcast on Creativity I recently did for The Gala Show on Apple and Spotify. And here are the liner notes and some recent review quotes.
Happy New Year!
Lisa
ALBUM NOTES: In college I received a degree in art and design, and those studies have consistently informed how I think about my piano playing and composing. I am often inspired by cool jazz – whose associated members include some of our most beloved and iconic jazz artists of all times: Miles Davis (1926-1991), Chet Baker (1929-1988), Stan Getz (1927-1991), and Bill Evans (1920-1980). The playing styles of these extremely expressive artists often reflected mood and sensitivity over flashy virtuosity. They used the breadth of their instrument, creativity, and passionate spirits to create enduring classics we still listen to and love.
I am continually inspired by impressionist artists as well, like the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gough (1853-1890), who memorably used swirling painterly strokes, the French painter George Seurat (1859-1891), who used pointillism – little dabs of paint on his large canvases, and French plein air painter Claude Monet (1840-1926), who was greatly influenced by natural light and reflections on water. Like artists throughout time, they searched for new ways to express how they saw and experienced the world in their art.
The music on Lucky All Along is inspired by the history of cool jazz as well as impressionism. Instead of paint, my compositional “tools” include different harmonic palettes and rhythmic textures such as blues, swing, improvisation, free jazz, polyrhythms, bop, pop, ragtime, early rock, the Latin tinge, and traditional riffs. As a band, we also make use of intentional and impressionistic expression when we play to communicate the life we all experience today. Although I create notated scores, they leave ample room for my bandmate’s interpretations, contributions, and improvisations as well as my own. We work quickly without rehearsing or overdubbing to create a fresh, natural and authentic sound. It’s always thrilling and surprising to us when we record what we will be creating in the moment.
When you listen to these tracks, you will also hear something else: a joy and passion for our instruments, a deep collective love for playing, hope, beauty and the life we all share as we intuitively collaborate and creatively combine artistry, skills and mastery.
In California, there are huge beaches like SoCal’s Zuma Beach, but we also have a lot of pocket beaches – small but inviting scoops of sand that dot our coastline. Little Beach Mornings is a warm wake-me-up tune that celebrates the beauty and sense of community that I feel near my home in Malibu.
All Blues is a favorite jazz tune for many of us, and was written by Miles Davis for his landmark 1959 cool jazz album entitled Kind Of Blue. It has the best groove to listen to, but is extraordinarily fun to play too. I love how our band sounds on this – I want to listen to it over and over! In my studio, there is a photo of Miles by my friend Ken Franckling in the middle of three musical twentieth century masters I look at whenever I play or compose. (The others include Thelonious Monk by photographer Paul Ryan and Igor Stravinsky photographed by Arnold Newman). They represent passion, creativity, intellect and a rarified work ethic to me.
I created this album during an election year, and Prophesies & Predictions is an emotional response to the amount of analysis, guesstimating, and obsessive surveying going on in America this year.
Like many, I spent a bit of time 2020-2023 with Escapist Fantasy day dreams that wove their way into this composition. I enjoyed putting together different rhythmic ideas and harmonic effects, to create the impression of those moments of escapism we sometimes all feel.
There are a lot of challenges in life that we need to navigate, but I try and counter that by remembering the good times – the best times even - times that feel like a too-good-to-be-true Hollywood Moment! I greatly admire the jazz pianist Bill Evans for his thoughtful, expressive playing and genius harmonic choices. I was thinking of his style when I wrote this piece.
Lately it seems that many jazz artists choose to arrange tunes by the Beatles or Stevie Wonder, but I think jazz should reflect our times today and great composers of this generation too. While he was still at Berklee College of Music, singer/songwriter/producer Charlie Puth opened up for me at my show in Boston. Even then, I was impressed with his skills, talent and personality. After his college graduation, Charlie co-wrote a song that touched a lot of people about the loss of his friend in a motorcycle accident, which he expressed in the tune See You Again. I kept Charlie’s piano solo but put it at the end, opening with the trumpet instead, which I think adds a little to the feeling of gospel to this song.
Originally, the blues were considered the basis or soul of jazz, but today many jazz artists don’t include any in their performances at all. I alwayswant to include the blues, though! And Some Blues… is one of my favorites on this album – I love what the band contributed here.
Vincent Van Gogh entitled his most famous painting The Starry Night. I believe that Van Gogh must also have had starry eyes, nurturing his belief and passion for his art against the odds he experienced. Only one or two canvases of his nine hundred paintings were sold to buyers other than to his supportive brother Theo before his death at 37 years. I admire this passion and persistence and wrote Starry, Starry Eyes thinking of this gifted artist who was so ahead of his time.
How we interpret our world is subjective and is based largely by how we choose to see it. The sun will rise every morning and set every night whether we enjoy the beauty we are freely given or choose to look the other way. I believe we are lucky just to be here, to live this life as we find it and as we create it. In fact, if you think back to when you were a child, and see where you are today, you might just feel that you’ve been Lucky All Along without even realizing it.
I think Big Sur Views exudes the beauty and grandeur of nature – especially in a place like Big Sur, California with giant shade-drenchedredwoods near expansive and sunny views of the Pacific Ocean.
It seems crazy that the vast majority of music played at jazz clubs, classical music performing arts centers and opera houses is written by men. So on my albums, I try include a composition written by a woman. So far, I have recorded music by Joni Mitchel, Janis Joplin, Ann Ronell, Lana Del Rey and now Snow On The Beach written by Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Jack Antonoff, for Taylor’s Midnights album in 2022. You might consider this a pop song, but I hear a touch of the great American composer Robert Johnson in this evocative composition. I love the very subtle improvisations from the bass and drums on this one.
Top Albums of 2024 at All About Jazz, Lucky All Along (Neil Duggan)
TOP 10 JAZZ/December CJSW Radio Canada
“Imagine the peaks we could climb if everyone listening to Hilton or reading this played so well together. Truth be told, Lucky All Along could be as close to a greatest hits album Hilton, or any of us, will ever get….very attainable, very welcome, very deserved.” Mike Jurkovic / All About Jazz
“Another great album from Lisa Hilton. She never disappoints. Percolating with ideas, the nine original compositions and three cover tunes on this release are intimate, enthralling, and laced throughout with rich blue tones, and swinging with Hilton's expressive touch on the piano. Lucky All Along gracefully shares the spotlight with quartet mates Igmar Thomas on trumpet, Luques Curtis on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums and percussion.” World of Jazz / Bob Osborne
“One of today’s most creative composers and players, pianist Lisa Hilton releases a strong album… Igmar Thomas, Luques Curtis and Rudy Royston are the perfect fit and size for Hilton’s ideas.” Jazz Weekly
“Another Lisa Hilton album, and for many the world seems a better place…. Hilton gives her exemplary quartet freedom and space to explore and they all have well-deserved expressive moments in the spotlight. The relaxed charm of this album offers joyful moments and memorable melodies…and is easy to recommend.”
Neil Duggan / All About Jazz
“If you like bluesy pianists, Hilton is all of that and more. Having witnessed one of her live shows in the past year, the improvisational talents of her quartet members and Lisa alone, are quite impressive. To these ears, it is Igmar Thomas’ best playing, and for that alone, this album stands out.” Making a Scene
“Lisa Hilton proves that she doesn’t need “luck” to succeed on her latest LP. Lucky All Along is a largely engaging & entertaining work from beginning to end.… Lucky All Along is an impressive entry into this year’s field of new jazz albums.” Phil’s Picks
“A captivating blend of cool Jazz and impressionist-inspired compositions….Lucky All Along merges diverse jazz styles with impressionistic textures, making it a deeply emotive & innovative release”.” Jazz Sketches
“Hilton’s own performance delivers a certain swagger and swing, really letting that soul of which she wrote shine through.” Mayhem Rockstar Magazine
“Inspirational!” O’s Place
“Lisa always surrounds herself with top notch musicians and this release is no exception!” WFIT/FL Eric Blankman
“Every part of this record is expertly handled. The writing, musicianship, recording and production leave nothing to find fault with. Wonderfully entertaining." Radio SINEFM/UK
"Lisa Hilton is back with another incredible recording: quality interplay with her fellow musicians." CJSR FM/Canada
"Toppy Jazz Loves Lisa Hilton. Every time she surprises us with her Great Talent.” Toppy Jazz/Netherlands
“Still the lady of Cool Jazz.” The Hillz FM/ UK
"Lucky All Along" confirms the talents of pianist Lisa Hilton.” Anima Jazz/Italy
“She's absolutely right about the Blues…” Jazz Radio DC
“I look forward to any and every release by Lisa! She is always so refreshing and tasteful!” IDC Radio/Israel
“Cinematic cool jazz - play me a picture!” Outsight Radio Hours/France
“Lovely to hear some TUNES in 21st century music!” Just Jazz/Australia
“Very Lisa Hilton” Radio Lotte FM/Germany
“Lisa Hilton ALWAYS creates gorgeous music. Very happy to get this new one. Lots of tracks to play!” WNTI/NJ
“Lisa Hilton delivers every time.” CJSW FM/Canada
“Very nice selection and great performances by all.” JustJazz.World /New Zealand
“Another very fine effort from this talented lady!” Radio Voce Spazio /Italy
“Lisa Hilton is back with another incredible recording. Quality interplay with her fellow musicians.” CJSR Radio/Canada
“:))))))))” Sound Fusion Radio/UK
“Always love Lisa's releases ...” CRFO FM/Canada
“Very good as usual!” FMR Radio/France
“Cool. Love Lisa Hilton's music.” WORT FM/WI
“Very cool jazz.” CLSJ Radio/Newfoundland & Labrador
“Jazzy goodness!” CKUA Radio/Canada
“Beautiful Lisa Hilton Song- Little Beach Mornings” Radio 48/Germany
“Lisa Hilton it's always a pleasure. That's jazz as we like it. Special prize for the trumpet of Igmar Thomas.” Radio Arc en Ciel/France
“Nice vibes.” WORLD JAM Radio/UK
“Very good.” Radio Incontro/Italy
“Excellent.” Aussie Grown Radio
“Good.” Açık Radyo / Turkey