Lisa Hilton Music

2012-01-22T21:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and thank you!

Zone Music Reporter has announced that "Underground" was the #18 CD for 2012. Wow! That is wonderful! Thank you! I really appreciate through the years, ALL those years, the support and loyalty from the many stations that make up Zone Music Reporter. It's a cool music mix, and I'm happy and always proud to be a part of all those playlists. I think every year for many many years, my CD's have made the top for the year listings, and I love that - thank you!

Well, I'm finishing up new music as we speak! I recorded January 7 & 8, and I will finish next weekend if all goes well. I think "Underground" was a great CD, and I'm proud of it. That said, I think ZMR stations will like this upcoming CD even better - LOTS of new music and sounds - all acoustic of course. I can hardly wait to share it! Look for it in March or April.

Take care and enjoy your weekend,

Lisa Hilton

2012-01-03T14:12:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year and Hello 2012!

Early winter is the most beautiful time on the West Coast - you can observe that the water really sparkles like diamonds at this time, allowing you to see and feel the vastness of the Universe before the rain and fog roll in. I had a really wonderful Holiday season: besides great weather, baking Christmas cookies, seeing family and friends, I finished up new music compositions for 2012. It was a lot of work, but everything that I love. 2011 was an extremely challenging year for me, as it was for many others as well. But somehow, in the last few weeks I realized that those extreme difficulties birthed, somehow, a happier and more resilient soul. I DON'T want to go through 2011 again, and I am genuinely looking forward to 2012. But I do appreciate and acknowledge the growth that occurred in 2011.

Later this week I will be in NYC for the APAP convention and working in NYC as well. Lots of jazz in the city this next week, so that will be a LOT of fun. I look forward to seeing my amazing bandmates: Larry Grenadier, Nasheet Waits and J.D. Allen again. Oh, and celebrating my Bday on Jan 5th too of course!

Wishing the very best to you in 2012,

Lisa

2011-08-25T20:13:00.001-07:00

Hi There!

I'm finishing up my tour right as summer is ending. I'll be in Seattle at Jazz Alley, (www.jazzalley.com), on August 30 at 8:30 - that's 8/30 at 8:30 - easy to remember! It's part of a larger showcasing so there will be lots of music to hear that night. I will play a short solo set. Then coming up September 14th I'll be at Cafe 939 in Boston at 8pm (www.cafe939.com), then that's it for now - I'll be composing. I'm ending up the summer with a short trip this weekend and then family in for Labor Day. Yep, the BBQ will be fired up, and hopefully the good weather will hold.

I have a "new" website - we're not quite done, but please check it out, and a new video up on YouTube: "Jack & Jill". Please check them out with the links below, and let me know what you think, ok?

I'm very thankful that UNDERGROUND has been doing so well at radio, and continues to do well on charts even now. I am interested in timeless music, and it is a great feeling knowing that we are creating music that the world loves. Thank you to everyone at radio for playing us, those who have come out to the performances and bought the CD too. This all means a lot to us! Please tell your friends too.

Take care and enjoy the last few days of summer!

On tour for summer!

2011-07-21T22:25:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

I hope you are enjoying summer so far. Warm or hot weather seems to be everywhere. Everyone looks tan without even going to the beach it seems. Hot, hot, hot it was last month in NYC when we played Zinc Bar (above with J.D. allen on tenor, Ameen Saleem on bass and Jaimeo Brown on drums). Great crowd, great vibe there and we definitely were hot with those temperatures. I've had the last month off, but we are at Regatta Bar: http://www.RegattaBar.com in Harvard Square/Boston August 4th/ Thursday at 7:30pm. Just one show, so please try and make it by. If you haven't heard J.D. yet, you'll be in for a treat - everyone compares his rich tone to Coltrane's. Ameen regularly tours with Roy Hargrove, so you might be familiar with his cool style. Jaimeo is a great guy and often tours with pianist Geri Allen. I'm in the mood to play and I love Boston, so I'll be in high spirits! It will be the actual premier of the tune I wrote last summer, "Boston + Blues" in Boston too, so that feels kind of special in a way. I'm also playing solo at Jazz Alley on 8/30 at 8:30, http://wwwJazzGallery.com and then solo back in Boston for a fundraiser for Perkins School for the Blind September 14th at Cafe 939http://www.Cafe939.com. Hopefully you can try and come by one of these shows. Jazz always puts you in a good mood and summer is a great time to indulge in that!

You can read about the Zinc Bar evening at on the FaceBook blog of radio personality, Mike Chimeri here: http://mikechimeriblog.com/2011/06/09/lisa-hilton-at-zinc-bar-recap/ along with photos too.

I am really thankful to so many radio stations that are playing "UNDERGROUND" - we have appeared on three charts, and in the top 10 on one chart for three months now. A sincere thank you to all the radio stations supporting our efforts and keeping us all happy by continuing to play jazz!

Enjoy the summer and hope to see you!

Lisa

2011-06-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

I decided out of the blue the other day, that I was going to have a Super Duper Summer, and that I would wish the same for everyone else too. I know, it sounds silly, and uh, childish; in fact it's the kind of thing I would have said when I was a little girl. But this year, I'm choosing a summer that feels like what that phrase might represent: simple pleasures, time for what you love best, being playful without pressure, freedom to goof off with best buddies, and plain old fun. It just feels right this year - luxurious even, to relish the extraordinary pleasures of reading, writing, composing, playing, being outdoors and seeing family and friends. I know, words wise, that might sound dull, but I just got back from visiting my sister and I can attest to the joys of watching a corgi sniffle the grass, the thrill of iris in late bloom, and the magic and drama of a big summer storm. My mother, who was known for her peculiar phrases, ("I'm off like a dirty shirt!" "It will get worse, or it will get better!"), used to say: "Don't make a mountain out of a molehill!". Well this year I think it feels good to make a "mountain out of a molehill". To make a "big deal" out of the little stuff in life. I was at a party last Friday, and someone mentioned they were spending two months in Turkey this summer. Well, good for them. I feel richer, somehow, with just a few days last week in Idaho. It might sound remarkable to some, but the three and 1/2 hours talking in the car on the way to the mountains and another three and 1/2 hours talking on the way home with someone I've known my whole life seemed like time well spent. Along the way I realized too, how beautiful America is: you don't need to go to the Swiss Alps when you can go to, (I bet you couldn't guess...), Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho, do you?

I'm sure to many people, a musician appears to perform for the thrill of being on stage, or for the glory of showing off their skills. Well, to me, and it's about connecting with others - communicating and sharing this world that we all live in. Jazz is a world where all are welcome - a shared passion is the only "ticket" needed. And this summer, at a time when many of our "friends" now are often people we have never even met, I choose to spend my time connecting through my music with real live people, (August 4th in Boston at Regatta Bar), spending time in nature, reading good "old fashioned" books, and of course, composing. This summer, that's MY definition of Super Duper!

So however, or wherever, you spend your summer and your Fourth of July, I hope that it is filled with all the things you truly love, with "play time", with nature, with freedom to goof off a bit, with family, friends and fun.

Wishing you a really..... Super Duper Summer!

Lisa

Stevie Wonder

2011-05-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

What can I say: Stevie Wonder is a legend, and his music has intermingled with our lives for so many years. It was, of course, really cool to see him live - on one tune he didn't even sing - the audience knew all the words! You can't stay in your seats when he's around, that's for sure. He really enjoys himself on stage, and that really translates to the audience. Only 600 people there - I was hoping to get to meet him, but he stayed in the green room the whole time until he came out and played until 1am.

I was hoping to get a picture at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival last week of Gregg Allman, but I was lucky to just get a seat, and it wasn't close to the stage. Probably about 2,500 in the tent seated and maybe that many hanging outside, but we all felt lucky. Allman looks GREAT - perfect even. He's still playing keyboards and guitar, but that voice of his sounds BETTER than ever. In fact, he doesn't even need to play an instrument - he's got fine players on stage with him, but n o b o d y sounds like him. I think there's so much.... what's the right word? Respect for everything that he has gone through, that he's continued on - the "Midnight Rider" and his music still speaks to all generations. If you have a chance to see him while he's on tour, it's really worth it. Nola was hot, hot, hot, but fun. I also was really impressed with Trombone Shorty - he plays the trombone more like a trumpeter, and that's a very difficult jazz instrument to play. I recommend seeing him too when he tours.

Speaking of tour.... I'm playing in Hollywood next week, May 25 at Catalina's Jazz Club - please try and come if you can and tell your friends. Catalina's is a great hang, and really THE jazz club in L.A. for a long time. Food's good, parking's good, and you never know who will drop in. We see actors, artists, political figures, musical legends even, and of course jazz lovers. Some people say it's a great date night too. Please say "hi" afterwards, ok?

Great radio news: our latest CD, "UNDERGROUND" is doing really well at radio - showing up so far on 3 radio charts. Yeah! Some stations have consistently included it in their Top 10, and I did an interview last week and the host said they get good audience response every time they play a track. Another station said that for now each host is "claiming" a different track as theirs so that there isn't too much overlap. They said eventually they'll play everything on the CD. Wonderful too to be played on the syndicated Voice of America and the great Jim Wilke's show, "Jazz After Hours". All good news for me, Nasheet, Larry and JD of course. There is so much work that goes into every track - and passion too. Thank you for the support!

Take care and have a great week!

Lisa

With The Junior Blind of America

2011-05-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

I had a GREAT time last week at The Junior Blind of America in Los Angeles last week. I LOVE those kids! We had just under 100 students/teachers/aides and it was a lot of fun. ALL the students wanted a hug afterwards, except one boy wanted two! What great spirits and really really good listeners. Top choices? They liked "Someday, Sometime, Soon" which is really a modal kind of piece with some unusual playing on it. They also liked "Jack & Jill" and "Boston +Blues" too. I think kids in general today are very sophisticated musically - they embrace such variety - dissonances included. Such a treat to play for them!

UNDERGROUND continues to moving ahead at radio - over 150 stations now playing - THANK YOU! Todd Steed at WUOT/Knoxville wrote: " Lisa Hilton has topped herself on UNDERGROUND. She's never played, written or expressed herself better as an artist. This is living adventurous jazz that breathes fresh but a the same time is rooted in the best parts of the past - and always deeply emotive. Surrounded by some of the finest musicians working today, Hilton hits the mark on every cut. She's joined the ranks of her own contemporary heroes." Thank you!

I'm off to NOLA for the Jazz Fest. I've never even been to the birthplace of jazz so I'm very excited. Then I come back to tour: May 25/Hollywood, June 8/NYC, August 4/Cambridge, and Sept 14/Boston. Hope to see you "Sometime, Somehow, Soon"!

Take care,
Lisa

Happy Easter and Boston Club date change

2011-04-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy Easter!

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend. Yesterday I hiked with friends to the waterfall near my home. It's a great trail through ancient oaks, a sprinkling of wildflowers and some lush poison oak to step around. Everyone on the trail seemed to be smiling and enjoying a sunny day outdoors. At the base of the waterfall we normally see California newts - golden brown water dwellers that look like Gollum-ish geckos hanging out. Besides the year round waterfall surrounded by maiden hair ferns, I love the trail because unlike most Malibu trails, there are no coyotes or rattlesnakes on it, and it really makes a more pleasant hike! ( I did see a mountain lion once though!) When I enter the green umbrella zone under the oaks and step across stones in the stream crossings, I feel like Alice in Wonderland: that I am in another world. Not what you'd normally expect in the greater Los Angeles area, but it's here.

Well the date at Regatta Bar in Boston is going to be rescheduled. We will not be playing May 3 as scheduled. If you have bought tickets please request a refund. I am sorry for the change, but the Hotel asked us to move the date. I'll keep you posted on any new dates.

I am looking forward to playing this week at The Junior Blind of America in Los Angeles - a great group, and then May 25 at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood - know for the good food and great parking. Also scheduled with the band June 8th at Zinc Bar in NYC's Greenwich Village. I really am in the mood to play so invite your friends or family and come on out! I assure you it will be fun!

"Underground" continues to do great a radio - fans have written that they have been hearing it in Philly and MA. If your station isn't playing it, I hope it will happen soon!

Take care,

Lisa

LisaHiltonMusic.com

Great Response from Radio So Far!

2011-04-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

Hi There!

Spring is definitely arriving - the hills in Malibu are lightly green, the cherry blossoms and magnolias in DC were profuse and a film by the name of "Hop" was #1 at the box office this weekend! Definitely springtime.

Well tomorrow is officially the add radio date for "Underground", but we've already had a great response in lots of strong markets: Philadelphia, SF, Cleveland, DC, Orlando, and some syndicated shows, as well as all around favorites like Rochester, IA, NC, ME, WI, NM etc. I work in "isolation" for almost a year as a composer, then book L O N G hours producing the CD and sending it out - then just WAIT for a response with my fingers crossed. To have busy radio MD's, PD's and hosts find time to listen and immediately start playing is just a really really nice relief that everything is going to be ok. I don't really "worry" because we can only do what we can do at any point in time. I just feel thankful and, like I said RELIEVED that there seems to be a very quick initial response to "Underground". THANK YOU! This support is so appreciated.

As I mentioned, DC was beautiful but it was a lot of fun too. I got to sleep late - truly a treat, and visited the National Museum of Art and viewed their very nice contemporary collection. Playing at Twins Jazz was a lot of fun -the audience was comprised of True Believers there. People are often very touched after a performance - that means a lot to me. I also was reading a great book: "The Miles Davis Reader" which was published by DownBeat Magazine as a complete collection of ALL the interviews, articles and reviews about the legendary artist. I've read 2 or 3 books already about Miles, but this gives a more full or complete view of the person because it is not one writer commenting - it is a collection of writings as well as Miles' own words. It's just great - highly recommended.

Still upcoming in Boston @ Regatta Bar May 3 - PLEASE come if you can - I don't really know a lot of people there, and besides it is the official debut of Boston + Blues! I'll be with JD Allen on sax, Jaimeo Brown/drums, (Geri Allen) and Ameen Saleem (Roy Hargrove) on bass. In April I'll be at Junior Blind of America and May 25 at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, where it's basically, my "home court" there. It WILL be fun - a solo show. Then I know it's not a big spot, but it's definitely a cool Greenwich Village haunt, Zinc Bar on June 8, again with JD and the guys. There are more dates for fall, but try and come out if you can this spring.

Take care and enjoy spring!

Lisa

LisaHiltonMusic.com

2011-03-27T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hi there -

I haven't written for a while because I've been in the studio finishing my new release and then preparing to perform too. But it is now OFFICIALLY out! UNDERGROUND heads out to radio this week, and is already available at Amazon.com, iTunes and LisaHiltonMusic.com, with CDBaby adding it very soon for sale. It was such a great experience to record this CD - I did all the sessions in NYC which, for this small town California girl, was very exciting. How nice to walk to work instead of struggle in traffic! UNDERGROUND features Larry Grenadier on bass once again, and tenor saxman, J.D. Allen too, with the new addition of Nasheet Waits on drums. I am so pleased with the results, but is always a weird experience to finish a release and then no one hears it for about 3 months while the finishing work is done. It's like having a baby and no one sees it until months later! Now I get to share it with the world, and that is a deeply satisfying feeling. Creating music is about exploring my instrument and what I desire to communicate musically, working with compositional challenges and playing/interacting with my band. But I also am always thinking of my audience - what would you like to listen too? The end product feels like a gift I picked out for you and worked really hard on with the help of a lot of very talented people, so I hope you like it: UNDERGROUND was created with you in mind.

What are my favorite parts? J.D. on "Boston + Blues", Larry's solo on "Jack & Jill", Nasheet on... everything! The sound on UNDERGROUND has a really loose feel to it which I like a lot, and the few people who have heard it have commented on the great interplay within the band. It was such a cool experience all around - with great engineers as well: James Farber, Fernando Lodeiro, Larry Mah and Mark Wilder. I even like how the photos came out by Michael Weintrob on the very rainy cold day we had booked to shoot the cover.

Please try and make it out to one of the performances - it will be fun to play the new music - I even have one fan flying in from Luxembourg trying to make one of the show. How great!
March 31, 2011 @ Twins Jazz in Washington, D.C, http://www.TwinsJazz.com *
April 28, 2011 @ The Junior Blind of America in Los Angeles, CA. http:// www.JuniorBlind.org *
May 3, 2011 @ Regatta Bar near Boston, MA. http://RegattaBar.com **
May 25, 2011 @ Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, CA.http://www. CatalinaJazzClub.com *
June 8, 2011 @ Zinc Bar in Greenwich Village, NYC. www.zincbar.com **
* Solo performance ** With J.D. Allen/tenor sax, Jaimeo Brown/drums and Ameen Saleem/bass

What do you think of the 3 minute behind the scenes video from UNDERGROUND?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAgHMPe9gew

Take care I hope Spring arrives soon for you!

Lisa

LisaHiltonMusic.com

2010-12-29T16:31:00.000-08:00

Wishing you and your family the very best Holiday Season and a really swingin' New Years Eve! Also hope you will have a wonderful year in 2010.

Love,
Lisa

I'll be in Delaware this weekend...

2010-10-21T23:15:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

Fall is here and the last date of my tour is Saturday night, October 23rd in Dover, Delaware at The Schwartz Center for the Arts at 7pm. It's close to Philly and DC too, so please come if you can and say "hi"! I had a great time in Ohio performing a couple of weeks ago - a beautiful state in the fall, and lots of fun in Chicago at Buddy Guy's new club, Legends. You can see in the photo above, by John Broughton I was enjoying myself! Read more about it and see more photos at: JazzChicago.net I was there to do a fundraiser for The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired. They do such great work, and it is inspiring to be around them. Well, they're a lot of fun too, so it was a great trip all around.

My latest release, "Nuance" has continued to do well - many people are hearing it on Music Choice as well as the radio. Last year's, "Twilight & Blues" really had a lot of support too- it was on the charts for over a year! Thank you all - I really appreciate it as an indie artist.

The touring has been a great experience, but I'm composing new music now, and will return to that full time for the next couple of months. That really is my very favorite part - seeing new music unfold is such a magical experience - worth all the work!

Take care and enjoy the fall and upcoming Halloween,

Lisa
LisaHiltonMusic.com

Hi From Lisa Hilton

2010-10-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hi There!

Summer's over, but I know there's still some late warm weather for a lot of us, so that's always nice. Here's a photo from my Hollywood gig a couple weeks ago. It was a great time - I was joined by my favorite tenor sax, J.D. Allen, Gregg August on bass and Rudy Royston on drums. Lots and lots of fun! I will be in Chicago next week, Sept. 30 at Buddy Guy's Legends - please come out if you can. It is a solo piano show that will benefit The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. It's a wonderful organization, that has a broad reach helping those with vision impairment everywhere. After that I'll be in Port Clinton Ohio on Oct 1 & 2, and winding up my tour in Dover, Delaware Oct 23. I hope to see you if you can make one of those last tour dates. Going out for jazz is always a nice evening!

"Nuance" has done really well at radio - over 200 stations are playing that CD, and it is currently #3 on one radio chart. That's great, but a nicer surprise is that "Twilight & Blues" is also doing well from last year and still appearing on radio charts! Big smiles all around for that - thank you to radio and my fans for listening!

Besides touring this summer, I had a fun at the JazzWeek Summit in Rochester, NY, a family trip to Europe where I got to go to the NorthSea Jazz Festival in July, and then my FAVORITE time is always the Newport Jazz Festival - a real trek to get there from California, (a plane, car and boat ride), but such a wonderful music festival. Now I'm composing - I just love composing! Lots of new music coming out for next year. Stay tuned.

If you get a chance, pick up the book, "The New Face of Jazz: An Intimate Look at Today's Legends and Artists of Tomorrow" (Random House/2010) by Cicily Janus. It's a really great book - not because they included me - but because it gives a really accurate rendering of the passion and personality that you find in a jazz musician. It's inspiring and fun to read about great musicians too. Check it out.

Take care,

Lisa

Hi There

2010-08-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

This is a performance shot from my recent tour. It's been a lot of fun, and I've met a lot of great people too. Tomorrow though, I leave for a FUN trip as a FAN to the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. I went last year for the first time. It's quite a trek from Malibu, CA: a plane, car and boat trip is what is entailed, but it was worth it. For me, the performances are like a wish list of artists I'm interested in seeing, and you get to spend the day outside watching boats float by on the water as well. It's really well worth the trip and expense to get there - really my treat for the year. My bassist, Larry Grenadier is playing with his band Fly and my sax player, JD Allen is playing with his trio there, so there will be plenty of familiar faces. If you go, please come up and say "hi" if you see me.

I still have a few more tour dates upcoming: August 31 in Hollywood, CA with JD Allen, Rudy Royston and Gregg August, Sept 30 I'm at Buddy Guy's in Chicago, Oct 1 & 2 Catawba Island Club in Port Clinton, LH and the Oct 23 in Dover Delaware at the Schwartz Center for the Arts. Please come by a performance if you can. I'll also be giving a talk in Agoura Hills, Sept 11, 2010 at 10:30 am on "Composing, Arranging and Finding your Musical Voice". More info is on my website under tour dates.

"Nuance" my recent solo piano CD is doing very well, and I thank radio as well as my fans for your support. A pleasant suprise: last summers' "Twilight & Blues" CD is STILL doing well - that is wonderful! Thank you! Besides traveling and performing, I am composing for another release with the band for next spring/summer. Please with me luck!

I hope your summer is going well - it's been very cool in California this year - I look forward to sun in Rhode Island!

Take care,

Lisa

Happy Holiday Weekend!

2010-06-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I hope you are looking forward to the Official Start of BBQ Season this weekend! Summer is right around the corner, so there's always a bit of excitement and anticipation when Memorial Day weekend arrives. And speaking of arriving - yep, my latest release, "Nuance", is officially out June 1st, so I'm proud and excited about that. I've got a great CD release planned Monday May 31st at Yoshi's/SF (www.Yoshis.com) and then on June 1st two shows at the Herb Alpert's gorgeous Vibrato Jazz Club in West L.A. ( www.VibratoGrillJazz.com ), and the icing on my very fun week is a program for the Junior Blind of America at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, where I will perform for their visually impaired students, (www.GrammyMuseum.org). If you you happen to be around SF or L.A. for the week, please come by and say "Hi!", and enjoy the show. I'm really looking forward to sharing some of my favorite music ever. "Nuance" has been about looking at many of the great songs that I performed with my, (awesome) band, and developing the music for solo piano again, which is the way they originally were written, and allowing the music to grow and transform as good compositions have a way of doing. New compositions are like new friends, children, or lovers - new, exciting, and lots to learn. But a tune that holds your interest for a long time, is like a strong relationship - it gets better with time, and becomes even more interesting. I think Monk recorded some of his best compositions over twenty times, so I felt free developing new arrangements of my catalog, as well as writing some new pieces as well. "Stars" is a new favorite for everyone, and if you like bluesy pieces, try "Blue Reflections". For covers, everyone likes the GreenDay song, "Wake Me Up When September Ends", which is, I agree, an unusual choice, but I like great songs, and that is one. I also perform Monk: "Off Minor" - always like his upbeat attitude, and a blues piece I've wanted to do for a long time, "The Thrill Is Gone". "Twilight" is a new favorite of mine off my last recording, "Twilight & Blues", but I wanted more time with it, and love how it came out - same with "Melt Down" which was featured on NPR's "Morning Edition" when it was first released. "Malibu", was the #1 Jazz Track in the World on some radio chart when it came out originally, so that was fun to return to, and "Warm Summer Night" has been really popular on iTunes, and holds good memories for me too. "Just for Fun" was the first song I ever heard of mine played, and it was when I was at "House of Blues" in Hollywood. I had just seen a jazz pianist play there, and at intermission, they played... ME. I was so surprised, and thrilled. One of my most popular songs is "So This Is Love", which KKJZ Los Angeles is already playing and getting positive audience response on immediately. Lastly, I wrote a very impressionistic piece, "Early Morning Impressions" that utilizes different piano techniques - after all, I like to explore my instrument. If I sound a little overly excited to share the new music, I am. I hope you LOVE it - "Nuance" is a direct answer to requests from fans, and people in radio that I have responded to - it is a gift to you. :)

I happy that I will also be at the JazzWeek Summit in Rochester, NY playing Friday June 18, 2010 at 11:30am. PLEASE say "hi" if you see me, and please try and make the show - I'd love to share the new music!

Take care and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Wow!

2010-01-20T12:49:00.000-08:00

Hi there,

You've probably seen on the news the big storms here in Malibu. We actually haven't had too much rain but the waves and surf are HUGE. Those homes directly on the sand are in fact possibly in danger, but there really aren't that many homes in the entire community that are on the sand - it is a luxury problem really. But it is exciting, as are the rocks that tumble off the mountains around here. So far I am safe and sound and cozy, as I hope you are too. The winter storms are perfect for catching up after my trip to NYC last week, and for listening to the new music I recorded.

The news this last week out of Haiti has been very difficult and has touched us all. Like many, I am making a donation. Paul Farmer at Partners in Health is an extremely dedicated humanitarian I had the pleasure of meeting a few years ago, along with several others in his organization. At a time when most companies didn't want to get involved in Haiti due to the extreme instability of the island nation, Farmer moved there to work with those most in need. His expertise is what is needed at this time.

I have been pleasantly surprised that "Twilight & Blues" has been doing so well 5 months after it's release, and it continues to improve even, rising up to # 33 this week on JazzWeek and being nominated at ZMR for three categories including Best Album for 2009. Great! (That news also perks up a winter day!) It really nourishes my soul that listeners continue to enjoy the album over time - this was our original goal: thank you!

Hope your winter week is going well too!

Take care,

Lisa

Happy New Year and update from NYC

2010-01-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

Hi there and Happy New Year too!

It's been a whirl-wind around here. I just got back from a week in NYC. I recorded a new album, (due out in late spring), and attended the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference, (APAP), at the NY Hilton. "Presenters" book jazz and other entertainment for clubs, festivals, and theater settings. This year the theme was Jazz, so there were several special interest discussions on how to attract jazz audiences, the challenges, and new ways to connect with the audience. It was very interesting, and promising too. I heard some good ideas, that give me hope for our future! I also got to meet, and hang with Ramsey Lewis, Vijay Iyer, Gerald Clayton, Stefon Harris, Kenny Barron and others. And I got my fill of music too: since all the jazz "buyers" were in town, there was LOTS of jazz to be heard. I saw Kenny Barron with Stefon and the great flutist, Anne Drummond at Jazz Standard, Ravi at Irridium, an all night rave type event at Le Poisson Rouge with Jenny Scheinman/Jason Moran, Lionel and others - with 1,000+ people /SRO that went on till the wee hours of the morning, Geri Allen with a multi media show, and Maria Schneider and her orchestra at a very cool event at Blue Note which included improvised bird calls from the audience via small wooden South American musical blowers. I played a solo event too that went well. My favorite evening? Kenny Werner at Small's showed up with Ari Honig and their long time bassist, and I was blown away by their very intuitive and creative playing, to a SRO crowd. I think that The Wall Street Journal, and others who think jazz is dead should spend a week with me! I assure you, jazz is very much alive - try standing for a couple hours in a crowd of 1400 and you'll agree with me!

I have more good news: Our August 10th release, "Twilight & Blues" just showed up #40 on the JazzWeek chart, right above some well known names with good sized marketing budgets, demonstrating that we have what we call, "legs". THANK YOU! We love that support. We also continue to get great reviews, most recently in DownBeat, "Appealing impressionism... rich melodies and improvisations" and in All About Jazz/NY, "A definite West Coast cool vibe clings to a lot of pianist Lisa Hilton's Twilight & Blues... an impressionist intent on creating and sustaining moods." Wonderful! I also noted that my bassist, Larry Grenadier's release with his band Fly, and my tenor sax player's release, "Shine" received top marks for 2009. All good.

Wishing you the best in 2010,

Lisa Hilton

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving....

2009-11-30T12:58:00.000-08:00

Hi there,

I hope you enjoyed the Holiday weekend. It was a much needed break from moving for me. The week before I had moved to a "new" remodeled home here in Malibu, and I'm still dealing with a lot of boxes, but the time with family, friends, food, and great weather here was just what I needed. I had an unconventional meal: pasta, mashed potatoes and chocolate cake, but I wasn't cooking so it was perfect! Hopefully the boxes will be gone soon; moves are hard, but I do feel inspired on the piano with the new location.

I do have good news, and thank you's too: Twilight & Blues got a very nice review in DownBeat magazine, and a recent editorial page in Jazz Times magazine, #2 on one radio chart, currently, just popped back up on another radio chart, and holding steady on yet another. THAT'S GREAT NEWS coming three months after it's August release. I know a lot of people are considering Holiday music right now, but there's no need to stop listening and playing Twilight & Blues, in fact I think tracks like, "What's Going On" are perfect for Holiday: if you take away the religious element of the Holidays, I think it's a time for peace and generosity of spirit which is at the heart of that track, as well as many others that I play. The message of that song is one that should continue to be heard as long as possible.

I will be doing a showcase in Manhattan for the APAP booking conference if you will be around for that: 4:00 Saturday January 9, 2010 at the New York Hilton/Gibson Showroom. Please come if you can.

Well, I'm planning a big CD sale soon, and I'll keep you posted on that, but for now, it's back to composing, and the rest of the boxes!

Take care and enjoy the day,

Lisa

thank you everyone!

2009-11-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

I can't believe it's November with Turkey Day around the corner! Whew! A year ago we voted in a new president, a new era, and were struggling with an economic melt down. What a year it's been! Before I go on, that's me with Bubba Jackson from local KKJZ/Long Beach/LA and a writer from our local Malibu Times newspaper just after my CD release event at Catalina's Jazz Club in Hollywood. Don't they look happy? How nice - Bubba has an early morning show, and he still drove up - over an hour to see the show. How great is that? I love ANY support, but when it's at home, it's very cool, but then Bubba, IS cool. Click the YouTube link below to watch the City Streets video from the evening.

Well this is really a BIG thank you to everyone! Radio continues to be very supportive of "Twilight & Blues" - we are on 2 or 3 charts currently - # 2 on one of them (!), and stations keep coming on. THANK YOU! I spoke with the band just today and conveyed to them how big our support is, and they are really appreciative too,(Lewis is in Madrid, and Larry on a 6 week tour with Brad Mehldau in Europe. They're having fun!) I hope to be back in the studio with them late 2010 again, and I can tell they are looking forward to it too.

Media continues to applaud Twilight & Blues too: DownBeat is giving it a very nice review in the December issue, JazzTimes had me write an article for the October issue, and JazzReview, and Wind & Wire just recently published incredibly supportive reviews. As a musician, so much of what you do is a solitary pursuit. To get this kind of support, and for it to continue, just touches us all very much. Fans have been lovely too - both digital and retail sales are going well.

I'm working on the next round of music, and preparing for a local move, so it's busy.

Thank you, thank you, everyone - we all really appreciate your love and affection!

Take care,

Lisa

Newport Jazz Festival Photos

2009-08-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

Summer finishes up with a heat wave here in Malibu. My album "Twilight & Blues" is out at radio and doing really well! In two weeks it is on way over 100 stations and growing, showing up on a couple of charts too. So I want to say a great big, THANK YOU to radio for the continued support and love. Especially nice is that here in Los Angeles, my friends are able to say, "I heard your music on the radio during Bubba's show" which is really fun. Thank you, thank you! I'm also getting lots of nice mails and support from fans, so THANK YOU TOO! Some are coming in from Chicago and Canada even for next week's performance at Catalina's Bar & Grill in Hollywood on September 3rd. It's just before the Labor Day weekend, so I think everyone will be in the mood for a great time. Please come if you can! Check out my website LisaHiltonMusic.com/tour or CatalinaJazzClub.com for a fun evening with great food.

These photos are by Connor Schultze, a bass player that I met at the recent CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival. Photos show: Hiromi, Esperanza Spaulding, Joe Lovano, and Roy Haynes with Ron Carter. What a wonderful event! I loved it! Got to go backstage for Dave Brubeck to say hi to my friend, saxman Bobby Militello and enjoyed the view there for Tony Bennett as well. What a great festival - I even got to meet the sponsors, Care Fusion and the long time founder, George Wein.

Stay cool!

Lisa

In the studio with Lisa

2009-08-03T17:02:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

Hope you had a wonderful Holiday weekend - the official start of BBQ season around here! I've been working hard to finish up the new CD, but I included a light hearted moment from one of the two April sessions at Avatar in NYC. Pictured with me are J. D. Allen/tenor sax, my bass player Larry Grenadier, Jeremy Pelt/ trumpet, and of course, Lewis Nash my drummer. We had a good time, and all got along really well. Lewis and Larry are, of course the best, and very very nice people. It was great to play again with Jeremy - he has such a beautiful tone, and is a wonderful all around musician too. J. D. was new to me, but he fit in really well, and his tenor was perfect for the session. The music is now all done, the packaging just finished, and the manufacturing is now starting. It's really a lot of work, but it is such a deep passion for me, so I don't mind, although it's been nice to catch up on sleep and slow down the last week. More than ever, with the economy as it is, we hope the new music will do well. But the playing is incredible - and that is partly influenced by the track selection too. We recorded some iconic covers, and a couple of my tunes went over really well with the band too: nothing warms a composers heart as when players of this caliber really embrace a new song. The album has an August release date and is called "twilight & blues".

Putting together a new album at such a historic and difficult time for America and the world really made me pause and reconsider what and how I wanted to create music. I found I just can't play romantic standards right now: I need something that is more meaningful, and emotionally expressive. I think that this approach also resonated with the band too - so expect something unexpected! It's also more bluesy, which I think fits where we are today too. What we do is based on tradition, like the blues, but takes a new direction. I don't wish to live in the past or try and reproduce what the greats have done. We can take the influences of people like Miles, and Monk in creating new music representative of today. We hope you like it!

I had the chance to see Larry's band Fly in NYC, with his band mates Mark Turner and Jeff Ballard - a great sold out show, with a line of 50 outside for the late show! Saw Billy Childs Chamber jazz in Los Angeles this weekend - very nice, but very chamber music with a string quartet as well as a band. Nice compositions and playing though. Chris Potter sold out here too, with an audience of primarily twenty-somethings! It's good to see people going out to see live jazz, but it's sad that one of our few jazz clubs in SoCal is closing and/or moving: The Jazz Bakery. I hope they will reopen soon.

I hope that things are going pretty well for you - music is always so uplifting isn't it?

Take care,

Lisa

With Quincy Jones...

2009-02-18T11:44:00.000-08:00

Hi There,

I hope you are making it through winter ok. Our perfect SoCal weather has now dimmed to our normal winter weather: cold and rainy around the time of the Grammy's. Congrats to all the Grammy winners!

The last date on my winter tour was at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood last week. Just as I was preparing to go on stage, I was told that none other than Mr. Quincy Jones, (and entourage) had arrived for my gig! I decided right then I better play my heart out, and I just hoped that he wouldn't leave too early so that I could introduce myself after. Well, he was the last man out the door - well after closing, graciously hanging with me and a small group after, and inscribing a book to me saying he loved the performance. Whew! What a great evening. Apparently the audience also loved the set too, so it was a terrific end to the tour.

Hope all is well with you,

Take care,

Lisa

Catalina Bar and Grill

2009-02-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Hope you are doing well. I realize only one team can win the Super Bowl, but it was a great game - especially the last 3 minutes! I really don't know how your weather is going, but locally I don't think we are having a winter at all. I know, it sounds like a brag, but it's not. Malibu has been so warm and mild even for SoCal, that it's starting to seem almost spooky - a Dorian Gray season if you can imagine, but I'm not complaining at all! It's incredibly nice, and hopefully we won't have any repercussions.

Well it was bound to happen... I know someone who has made it onto American Idol. Anne Marie Boskovitch is sweet, naturally beautiful and has always been a great singer. Wonderful family too. How fun - she deserves to win, but what a challenge!

I was called to perform again at Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood, CA on Tuesday, February 10th. If you are around and available, please try and come by. The show is at 8pm, but most people like to come at 7 for dinner first. It's the best club in L. A. - the food and even the parking are great. It should be a very nice evening: call 323.466.2210 for reservations. I played 2 weeks ago in San Francisco and had a wonderful time around Union Square. That city really is fun!

Nice reviews for my latest release, "Sunny Day Theory" continue, to come in. "Hilton is an excellent pianist" from Earshot radio report in Canada, and it has been nominated for the 2008 LifeStyle Awards, as the 2008 Roots Music Association Awards/Artist of the Year/Jazz. Thank you!

Take care,

Lisa

Live from Andy's in Chicago

2009-01-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

Hi there,

I just got back from visiting The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and I also performed at Andy's Jazz Club there too. I'm telling you, the people in Chicago really like to have a good time. Sold out and happy crowd for a Thursday night. After my show ended I headed to the opening night at Legends to see the famed Buddy Guy for some real Cook County Blues. What an entertainer he is! Wearing a velvet coat and red patent boots he walked right out of the venue riffing the blues through the snowy Chicago street!

After Chicago, I headed to NYC to hear jazz - got to meet Lionel Loueke at The Jazz Standard. What a warm person he is. I stayed for 2 sets I was enjoying the music he played from his album, Karibou, and the cozy atmosphere of the club on a snowy January night. Also saw the Blue Train Revisited at Iridium, as well as Kurt Rosenwinkel and Aaron Parks at the Village Vanguard which I enjoyed. I also found time for the Broadway show, Billy Elliot - Elton John wrote the music for that, but I didn't find that either the show or music was particularly inspiring - especially considering how expensive theatre tix are now.

I will be playing in SF this Saturday night the 17th - two shows at Biscuits and Blues in Union Square. Hope you can come by. btw, the outlook on "Sunny Day Theory", our latest release, is turning out to be excellent - still on two radio charts and fan interest appears to be growing. How nice! After the SF show, I've got to buckle down on new music - hopefully recording in April again.

Take care,

Lisa

Happy New Year to you!

2009-01-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you!

Hope you made it through the Holidays well with time for family, friends and yourself too. The new year inspires me, but it is also my birthday time - January 5th, so I feel especially energized by the start of the calendar year as well as a new personal year.

I'm off to Chicago to perform at Andy's on January 8th, and to stop by The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind to lend support for the great work they do for the visually impaired in their state. Please come by at 8pm for the show if you are around. I'll spend next weekend soaking up jazz in NYC, before heading back to perform in SF on January 17th at Biscuits & Blues - 2 shows to catch there if you're in the city.

"Sunny Day Theory" continues to do well, appearing on two radio play charts entering it's fifth month, and still receiving good reviews - so that's a great gift right there! Besides preparing for the tour, I am composing new music and feeling very creative. Hopefully I will be in the studio in April, but there's a lot of work to do before then!

Take care, and I hope that 2009 is a good year for you.

Lisa

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-20T11:51:00.000-08:00

Hi There!

I hope you are doing well, and looking forward to the Holiday. I decided to cook vegetarian this year, just to give it a try, so wish me luck! I hope your Thanksgiving goes well too.

It's been busy this fall, but more relaxed since my release, "Sunny Day Theory" has been out since late summer. Lots of good news though. Still on some charts after about 3 months, and spins are up too - THANK YOU! Many stations go to Holiday music soon, but "Sunny Day Theory" works just fine with Holiday music too. Thomas Conrad's review in Jazz Times reported: "Lisa Hilton plays feel-good music...and, after all, who doesn't like to feel good?". Just nominated for the Roots Music Association Jazz Award along with Herbie Hancock, Charlie Hayden, Dianne Reeves, Foreplay and others. How nice is that!

I've also seen some terrific concerts this fall. The photo above I took at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition that featured B.B. King, Bono and others. WOW! Then I saw the great classical pianist, Lang Lang at UCLA's Royce Hall - equally impressive, and last weekend, a pianist's thrill with Brad Mehldau, McCoy Tyner, and Ellis Marsalis and company. Whew! SoCal can go a long time without much entertainment, and then everyone comes at once - ( I unfortunately missed Aaron Parks). I'm also composing a bit, and working on music for touring: I will be in Chicago on January 8th at Andy's Jazz Club in a benefit for The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, and then I'm off to San Francisco to Biscuits & Blues on January 17th. I think I'll be in Tucson soon after that, and I'm trying to make my way around this year, so come see me if you can!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Take care,

Lisa

Lisa Hilton at Catalina Bar and Grill

2008-10-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

Fall is settling in slowly in Malibu - hot, hot weather, but then cooling off for a day or so before it returns, as if trying to get used to the idea of a new season. Wish us luck as we start our "fire season" here too! Last year at this time I was composing Sunny Day Theory and here is it out at radio and doing well on several charts. The favorite tracks at radio right now are "Heat Wave", "Meltdown", "Sunny Day Theory" and the Joe Zawinul track, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. When you work on the music you have no idea what will be other people's favorites, so it's always nice to know.

Performing recently at Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood was great fun - Steinway gave me a wonderful Hamburg D that was a real pleasure to play. A good sign is when people stay so late, that the staff is vacuuming and people are still lingering on a week night! I will be in Chicago January 8th at Andy's and it looks good for San Francisco in January too. I am also hoping to have a few other east coast stops as well, but they are in the works for now.

Take care,

Lisa Hilton

Lisa with President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter

2008-09-09T11:55:00.000-07:00

Hi There,

I hope you are doing well with the end of summer, if not the hot weather behind us. I just got back from a business trip to Seattle myself - beautiful weather in the Pacific NW! Saw a great show by Phoebe Snow - just terrific.

"Sunny Day Theory" my latest release, just started at radio and we've had a remarkable response: in about 2 weeks over 100 stations are playing the album, debuting well on the CMJ radio start and showing up on most added lists and chartbound. Wonderful! Thank you, thank you radio! I really appreciate it! Nice reviews are just coming in too, so it feels like a Holiday around here: a working Holiday though!

For anyone in or around Los Angeles, we are having a performance and CD Release Event at Catalina Jazz Club, catalinajazzclub.com on Tuesday, September 23rd, with dinner at 6:30 and I'll be playing at 8pm. I hope you can make it!

I am trying something new on this CD: dismayed by ongoing conflicts around the world and to honor of the spirit of the song, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” by Pete Seeger, I will be donating all 2008 proceeds of this track derived from digitally-downloaded sales (iTunes, et al) to The Carter Center which was created in 1982 by former President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. This is a new idea to allow listeners and fans to donate “musically” to a great organization, and I am looking forward to seeing the response. (I am also hoping to match the download donations that we receive personally to the extent that I am able to). Playing “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” on a radio station will send royalty payments to the composer, Pete Seeger of course. By playing this tune and announcing that digital downloads of this track will be donated to the Carter Center and matched by the artist, or by buying the track on iTunes or other digital retailer, we have a chance at making a positive difference in a very musical way without any of the high costs involved with large benefit fundraisers.

Take care,

Lisa

cookies and other gifts

2008-08-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hi There,

My latest release, "Sunny Day Theory" has officially shipped to radio - a miraculous 10 short weeks after our studio sessions. I am relieved to be done and excited for the response it will receive. Wish us luck! (Larry Grenadier/bass, Lewis Nash/drums, and Brice Winston/tenor sax with me above at Capitol Studios on June 4th).

The President of a large jazz website asked me: "You realize you've really outdown yourself on this one don't you?" I replied that I really wasn't sure what I felt about it, other than a little tired at this point! I really care about radio and fans-always have, so I spend time thinking about what everyone would like much like choosing a Holiday gift. My rule of thumb on track selection: something old, something new, something borrowed and some blues!

Every Christmas I bake cookies. Four or five different sorts, fancy packages, the whole bit. Probably hundreds of homemade cookies every year and dozens of baskets, and although I appreciate it when I get help say on the dishes, for the most part I do it all, because I feel that it is truly from the heart and soul of the person and that it is more meaningful in our hectic world today when we receive something like that. I feel the same way about sending out music to radio: it truly is a gift to you - much labored over! I hope you and your listeners enjoy! I have received my first radio review and since it is from Spain, it seems more charming, so I will share an excerpt here from A Ultima Fronteira: "La estupenda pianista....magnificas composiciones". I hope many more agree!

Take care and have a wonderful end of the summer!

Lisa

My new release is out for summer!

2008-08-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hi There!

I hope you are enjoying the summer! I am very excited to share, "Sunny Day Theory" with you! It's been fun and a lot of work too - no walk on the beach, but I'm really happy with it - I hope you like it too. It features Lewis Nash/drums, Larry Grenadier/bass and Brice Winston/tenor sax. The new CD has been sent to radio, and is up on iTunes, and CDBaby, and it will be available very soon on Amazon and LisaHiltonMusic.com Please check out my website to see all the new photos and stuff too!

Take care,

Lisa

Hi There!

2008-06-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hi There!

I hope that you are doing well and enjoying the start of summer. I'm sorry I've been out of touch for a bit, but I have been finishing up a new release. This photo was taken as we were mixing the music at Capitol with my engineers, Steve Genowick and Al Schmitt. Since that was an NBA playoffs night, I was wearing my "Lucky" Lakers cap, which is now in the floor in my closet! Oh well, it was a fun playoff series. Congrats to the Celtics and Boston too, who seem to be in sports heaven the last couple of years!

I really hadn't intended to create a new CD, but the music was just pouring out of me last winter, and I always take that as a good sign. In the studio with me I had my favorite drummer of all times, Mr. Lewis Nash, and truly an amazing bass player, Larry Grenadier whose work with Brad Mehldau I have admired for years. I think what seems to go hand in hand with great talent, are great hearts. Lewis and Larry are incredibly nice and warm people, not to mention bright and funny too. Joining us for one day on tenor was Brice Winston, who has done such terrific work with Terrance Blanchard. So, yes, I was thrilled to work with such incredible talent and yes, we had a great time! I love the music too - very upbeat.

I'll keep you posted on the release date - I had planned on a winter release, but now I'm thinking the music would be great for late summer. We'll see!

Take care,

Lisa