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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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