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There’s good GRAMMY NEWS: I’m excited that my bandmates Luques Curtis (bass) and Rudy Royston (drums), are on Grammy nominated albums this year! Luques plays bass on his brother Zaccai Curtis' album Cubop Lives! for a Best Latin Jazz Album nomination, and Rudy is on Orchestras (Live) by Bill Frisell which is up for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. No, our album did not make the nominations list this year, but we hope our newest release, Lucky All Along might find a nomination next time. Also good news, is that there are more women being nominated in jazz, instrumental music and the composing and arranging categories: these fields have more men in them with women now representing only about 30% of the nominations. I realize this is still a pretty small percentage, but progress comes step by step, right? It will be fun to watch the Grammy’s Sunday night Feb 2nd and I’m hoping my bandmates win of course!
To date, our album Lucky All Along has had a terrific response from reviewers, radio stations and streaming services - a big THANK YOU to all who have supported our album - we appreciate it! I do hope that this music is uplifting to listeners everywhere during these challenging times - huge fires, crazy weather events, new leaders, new regulations - the list is pretty extensive for just the first month of 2025, (I see you nodding in agreement here!) Remember - when I’m at the piano I always allow what is happening in the world to direct me while I compose, allowing the creative process to emerge rather than try to push it in a specific direction. Lucky All Along conveys a very clear and uplifting energy and we love that it is connecting with listeners everywhere in these trying times.
Talking about huge fires… things are calming down a little in SoCal, but the devastation affects everyone and it’s been s t r e s s f u l. For just one fire, the Pacific Palisades Fire, about 6,000 families have needed to (quickly) find homes in a tough urban rental market. There are a LOT of people now out of work, or who lost an entire business, and this has its own ripple effect. Everything has been disrupted: roads will be closed a while it seems, and where should all the burn waste go? Is the water safe to drink yet? Pets were lost, and now cats are being found. I had three family members, and five friends that lost their homes or apartments, but I think that there are more people I’m not yet aware of too. Every day anyone with a home anywhere should be thankful for a safe place is how I feel after this experience, and everyone everywhere should also understand that urban fires - often caused by arsonists or utility wires - will continue, and so we all must be prepared. We can’t change what happened, but we can try and help others, and be prepared for the future.
Now that it is February, it is the time for me to start my Composing Season. I love to compose so it will be cool to see what grows from my twelve little “embryos” patiently waiting for me at the piano to finish them. After such a crazy January, I wonder what will emerge!
Sending love…
Lisa
If you can, please leave a review at Amazon.com!
RADIO STATIONS & STREAMING FOR LUCKY ALL ALONG - THANK YOU!
USA: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Ben Boddie On Jazz/NC, Blues Net Radio/PA Deezer, HPR/HI, iHeart.com, JAZZRADIODC, KANU/KS, KCCK/IA, KCSB/CA, KIOS/NE, KUSD/SD, KRWV/AZ, KUBU/CA, KUSD/SD, KUVO/CO, KVSF/NM, Jazz From The Gallery/CA, The Creative/CA, Pandora, Spotify, The Jazz Station/CA, Sun-Net Music/MA, Tidal, WBGU/OH, WBLU & BBLV/MI, /FL, WCLK/GA, WDCB/IL, WDNA/FL, WEMU/MI, WFIT/FL, WFIU/IN, WFWM/MD, WGBH/NH, WGMC/NY, WGVU/MI, WHRV/VA, WICN/MA, WICR/IN, WJSU/MS, WNTI/NJ, WNCU/NC, World of Jazz Podcast, WPRB/PA, WRIR/VA, WTJU/VA, WUOT/TN, WUWF/FL, WWNO/LA, WWUH/CT, WXPN/PA, WXTS/OH, WZRD/IL,WZUM/PA
Africa: Ubuntu FM Australia: Aussie Grown Radio, Just Jazz Belgium: Music Box For Friends Radio Canada: CFRO, CJUM, CJSR, CJSW, CKUA France: Radio Arc en Ciel, FMR Radio, L'autre Radio, Outsight Radio Germany: Radio 48, Radio Lotte FM Israel: IDC Radio Italy: Anima Jazz, Radio Incontro, Radio Voce Spazio Newfoundland & Labrador: CLSJ Radio New Zealand: JustJazz.World – syndicated Spain: Radio Despi Switzerland: Swiss Groove Radio, Toppy Jazz Turkey: Açık Radyo UAE: Anghami UK: Gourmet Radio, Last FM, SINE FM, Sound Fusion Radio, The Hillz FM, WORLD JAM RADIO
Top Albums of 2024 All About Jazz, Lucky All Along (Neil Duggan)
TOP 10 JAZZ/December CJSW Radio Canada
Recommended New Release: NYC Jazz Record
“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.” All About Jazz
“All eleven tracks are strong.” Down Beat Magazine
“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
“The affable, internationally, critically acclaimed artist, composed, played and produced one of the most beautiful musical gems you will hear this year or any other year.” Riveting Riffs
“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 and innovative release”. Jazz Sketches
“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
“Hilton’s own performance delivers a certain swagger and swing, really letting that soul of which she wrote shine through.” Mayhem Rockstar Magazine
“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
“Hilton is unique in that while she focuses on jazz, she also creates sounds that are beyond the local jazz scene.” Portrait in Jazz Playlist / Hiroki Sugita / Japan
“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
“Inspirational!” O’s Place
“This beautifully crafted truly melodious new recording opens on the magnificently sumptuous…” Exclusive Magazine
“Lisa always surrounds herself with top notch musicians and this release is no exception!” WFIT/FL Eric Blankman
“Year after year, I admire Hilton’s work. Highly recommended.” Russel Perry/WTJU
“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" is a record that 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
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