composer Archives - 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

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

Los Angeles Event for Special Needs Students 3/10

February 10, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Lisa Hilton

composer, jazz and piano, lisa hilton, piano jazz

THANK YOU TO RADIO EVERYWHERE!

February 9, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Jazz, Lisa Hilton, piano jazz

#AntonioSanchez, Carnegie Hall, composer, Gregg August, Ingrid Jensen, jazz, jazz and piano, JazzWeek, JD Allen, Junior Blind of America, lisa hilton, Pepperdine University, piano, Rockwood Music Hall, Rudy Royston, SFJazz, Terell Stafford

Hi There!
Did you enjoy the SuperBowl? I think it’s always more fun to have a closer game – like last year, but the weather in California was spectacular for a February day and I liked GaGa’s arrangement of our anthem too.
Here’s a photo from NYC last month with JD Allen on tenor sax, Ben Williams on bass, Ingrid Jensen on trumpet and Rudy Royston on drums at Carnegie Hall. We had a great time! We had the same band last year but we were lucky to have Ben Williams join us – he’s just terrific and so nice too. Love those acoustics and my big Steinway at Carnegie!

Well Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU radio stations EVERYWHERE for playing NOCTURNAL. Just 2 weeks after our Jan. 22nd release date, we are #20 on the JazzWeek radio chart and being played around the world. We have deep appreciation for this. There is a lot of music out there – mostly from larger labels, so it is a great vote of support to Antonio Sanchez, JD Allen, Gregg August, Terell Stafford and myself that the music is connecting so well. As artists, a lot of our creative work is done in relative isolation and then 6-12 months later you find out if anyone likes what you do, (no instant gratification!), so this has been great news. Stations that we know are playing NOCTURNAL our first couple weeks are listed here (did I miss anyone?) – as well as my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaHiltonMusic. I just got this not from Russ Davis at MOJA RADIO/VOICE OF AMERICA: “You can add the 134 million people who hear JAZZ AMERICA on Voice of America as Nocturnal will be featured with our interview this coming Valentine’s Day weekend!” www.mojaradio.com – WOW! You can also listen here too:

WAER/NY, WBGU/OH, 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, WNMU/MI, WPFW/DC, 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!

-MARCH 4th/Friday/Smothers Hall Pepperdine University/Malibu, CA 8pm 4255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu/   https://pepperdinearts.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=132
-MARCH 10th/Thursday /Junior Blind of America, Los Angeles 4pm Performance for special needs students: 5300 Angeles Vista Blvd. L.A. www.JuniorBlind.org
-MARCH 12th/Saturday/Classic Pianos Portland, 3:30pm www.PortlandClassicPianos.net/events       http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2495400
-MARCH 24th/Thursday/ SFJazz: https://www.sfjazz.org/events-calendar
-APRIL 10th/Sunday/Rockwood Music Hall/NYC 8:30pm: http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com/   https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1090601
Hope you can come out to one of the performances for NOCTURNAL – see ya there!

Lisa

January 22, 2016 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Lisa Hilton

Antonio Sanchez, Carnegie Hall, composer, Duke Ellington, jazz, jazz and piano, JD Allen, lisa hilton, New Release, NOCTURNAL, piano, piano jazz, reviews, Terell Stafford

Happy January 22nd – our Official Release Day!

We are very excited today! For us the release of NOCTURNAL represents months of creative passion, HOURS of rapt attention to detail, and two days of recording bliss. Truly the best band ever: Antonio Sanchez on drums (well known for his Birdman score), once again the deep Detroit tenor sax sound of JD Allen and the Julliard trained Gregg August on bass, and the addition of the virtuosic Terell Stafford on trumpet, as well as my piano too. After seventeen albums of compositions, I decided on my eighteenth to dig for more emotional depth and length on some tunes too, and I ended up enjoying the composing time more than ever. We’re proud of how it came out and we hope the world enjoys it. We’ve gotten a few early reviews:
-“SIMPLY PHENOMENAL.” 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, and Gregg August on bass – 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
– “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
– “Lisa Hilton has done a remarkable job.” The New York Jazz City Record
-“Highly anticipated….” New York Cool
– “What a wonderful album.” Exploring Jazz/WUNH
–“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
Here are a couple spots where you can check out the album: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nocturnal-Lisa-Hilton/dp/B017Y6AQRE iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nocturnal/id1058965612 or www.lisahiltonmusic.com or you can listen to a few tracks here: https://soundcloud.com/lisahiltonmusic

We had a wonderful time last week debuting the new music at Carnegie Hall – see photo/video here:https://www.facebook.com/LisaHiltonMusic . We’ll be at Pepperdine, in Malibu, CA, March 4th/Friday, Junior Blind of America March 10th, Classic Pianos/Portland March 12th and SF Jazz March 24th. We will add some more dates too. See more info here: http://lisahiltonmusic.com/tour-3/

Enjoy your weekend, and please let us know what you think of the new music if you get a chance.

Lisa

Performing at Perkins School for the Blind

November 13, 2015 by Lisa Hilton

Blog, Press

composer, jazz, lisa hilton, Perkins School for the Blind, pianist, piano jazz

Lisa Hilton’s Jazz Rings True for Students Who Are Blind

Renowned composer/pianist pays a visit to Perkins School for the Blind.Watertown, Mass. – It was an unlikely time and place for jazz. Just before noon on a Friday at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts, pianist and composer Lisa Hilton took the stage in Dwight Hall to bring her music to 100 students, staff and guests. Before she began, she did something artists rarely do. She asked her audience to tell her at the end of the one-hour performance which piece would be the favorite. (Click here for short video.) Based in Malibu, California, Hilton had come to Watertown on October 16 following recording sessions in New York City. She debuted new compositions from the upcoming, Nocturnal, which were warmly received, and played several others reflecting nature. Her foremost attention, however, was on the students in the audience. Many were music students that she had met on her prior visits to the school. On this day, she played for them a sweet bluesy jazz number she began composing when she was just a teenager herself.

“When a musician, artist, scientist or any expert meets students where they are,” says Pat McCall, Interim Superintendent at Perkins, “the students respond with enthusiasm. You could hear it in their applause and in the easy way they spoke to Lisa.”

Hilton has a strong bond with young people who are blind or visually impaired. In addition to her numerous trips to Perkins for concerts, collaborations and workshops, she also works with Junior Blind of America in California, the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, and the Berklee College of Music Assistive Music Technology Lab for Blind and Visually Impaired Musicians. She sees her music as a way to connect. “This is a wonderful audience, wonderful school and students,” says Hilton. “I would like to just get the word out …that we need to reach out in our community. I think that so many people would like to make the world a better place… I would suggest maybe look in your own community.”

Having come to jazz in adulthood after studying classical music as a child, Hilton can relate to the young musicians she has met in her travels. “Music for anybody – or any kind of art – is an individual path… it will lead you to interesting places.”

And what were the audience’s favorite numbers at the end of the performance? Shouts went up in favor of every one. When it comes to live music in the middle of the day, everyone wins.

Perkins School for the Blind, founded in 1829 as the first school of its kind in the US, is a multifaceted organization working around the world to prepare children and young adults who are blind with the education, confidence and skills they need to realize their full potential.

Learn more at www.Perkins.org

Getaway Reviews and Quotes

June 1, 2013 by Lisa Hilton

All

composer, Getaway, hilton, jazz, lisa, lisa hilton, pianist, reviews, trio

“Getaway” is pianist/composer Lisa Hilton’s fifteenth CD as a bandleader. Here she’s joined in a powerful trio effort featuring bass icon, Larry Grenadier and the creative genius of Nasheet Waits/drums.

Current reviews include:

“Hilton proves often enough that she is a pianist of considerable ability, capable of depth and a wide emotional range….a surprisingly edifying listening experience.”
Jeff Tamarkin/ JazzTimes 2013

“Hilton has a way of taking a basic idea and stretching its conceptual fabric…Hilton is a conjurer of musical spells, moods and magic.”
Dan Bilawsky/ All About Jazz/ April 2, 2013

“One of the uniquely individualistic performers on the contemporary music scene… continues her quest for new musical territories for her to explore.”
Don Heckman/ International Review of Music 2013

“Lisa Hilton is a great songwriter – there is no doubt that she is a superb jazz pianist. Like Monk and Brubeck, Hilton’s tunes have a distinct style to them – deliciously bluesy, but decidedly contemporary flair.”
Rochester City Newspaper

“What makes Hilton’s music so impressive is that she is one of the few pianists around that actually has her own unique style and sound. Having a past career in the visual arts, Hilton uses her palette to create music and sounds.”
The Jazz Messenger/ May 2013

“A sophisticated blend of blues and adventurous band intermingling… full of fiery jamming and soloing.”
L.A. Jazz Scene

“Lisa Hilton’s most charming and beguiling CD to date.”
Linda Yohn/WEMU

“13 songs offered up for your aural pleasure – a taste of what joy sounds like.” ImproviJazzation Nation/ Dick Metcalf

“Expressive pianism…dramatic, fluid lines lend a sculptural identity. Hilton blends different cultural and musical sources in a respectful yet unconventional manner… giving her piano jazz new color, new textures and new time signatures. Her variations and ideas seemed to emerge from an inner voice.”
Paula Edelstein/ The Examiner/ May 17, 2013 (live review)

“Smoking, cooking stuff … one winning wild ride.”
Chris Spector/The Midwest Record

“A wonderful melding of musical worlds.”
George Harris/ JazzWeekly

“Hilton has been one of my heroes since I discovered her. I consider her the best jazz pianist and composer in the world.” Hugh Carson/KVNF Retrospective of Lisa Hilton Music April 2013

“Lisa Hilton’s trio came to Catalina’s on Thursday on the throes of her most recent album, Getaway. She delved into her own compositions that felt like audible paintings, with each touch on the piano feeling like the stroke of a brush.”
JazzWeekly concert review May 17, 2013

“She’s a worthy jazz composer as is lavishly proven here.”
Jeff Simon/ Buffalo News/ March 31, 2013

“I received “Getaway” about 3 weeks ago & thoroughly enjoy it — great original compositions, inspired & imaginative interplay. Awesomely mesmerizing in my humble opinion.”
Richard Haggerty/ WRUV May 26, 2013

“Impressive…intoxicating…fantastic….”
Kathy Parsons/ Mainly Piano/ April 14, 2013

“Stunning piano music… a kaleidoscope of color.”
Dana Wright/ Muzik Reviews/ April 8, 2013

“Hilton expands her approach to traditional jazz with original compositions and her unique voice on the piano.”
Kim Linzy/ KUNV Las Vegas/ 2013

“Hilton is at her best when she is guiding us down the back roads of our own emotional geography…. a meteorologist of the soul, playing the length of the eighty eight like a rain-dancing shaman.”
Kurt Rice/ Vegas Seven (live review)

“The interplay between these three virtuoso instrumentalists is impressive.”
Music & Media Focus/ 2013

“Hilton is a distinctive composer and player…and a unified artfulness here.”
Martin Kasdan Jr./ Leo Weekly 2013

“Lisa Hilton is a flawless and brilliant pianist.”
Javier Garcia Escamez/ NoSoloJazz.com/ Madrid, Spain 2013

“Lisa Hilton is an artist furthering herself into the jazz pantheon as a composer, and also an intriguing, sometimes mesmerizing instrumentalist. No wonder such luminaries as bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Nasheet Waits are along for the ride on “Getaway,” which travels to some scenic, to the ear, places…an entertaining journey.”
Steve Monroe/ JazzAvenues.com

“With her power trio with Larry Grenadier and Nasheet Waits, Hilton enthralls listeners on these thirteen refreshing and wide ranging jazz & blues tracks.”
Accent on Tampa/ Melissa Wolcott Martino

“Unbridled passion… Hilton is a force to be reckoned with in the world of jazz piano.”
Bill Binkleman/Wind & Wire

“Pianist and composer Lisa Hilton is a painter with sound, offering an array of beautiful tunes whose melodies vividly capture the mood.”
JazzNotes/ Ken Franckling/ May 2013

“We at KSDS have always liked Hilton’s playing. As usual she has a great band with her.”
KSDS Radio

“Hilton hits another one out of the park with this fine, elegant CD featuring snappy, original compositions.”
Rajman Reviews

“Hilton believes in tradition expressed with modern means honoring classical music, music of the twentieth century, and American jazz & blues. She considers the twenty-first century as a new musical age.”
Radio France Musique Open Jazz

“This collection of extraordinary, simple yet complex compositions reflects on years of in-depth scrutiny into the innermost sense of craft.”
eJazzReview/ Karl Stober/ May 2013