ARTISTS

Lisa Hilton

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Contacts

Publicists:
Nuria Hunter
Matthew Jurasek

Booking:
Lisa Hilton

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“We live in an exciting time of constant change…” is the introductory quote from composer and acclaimed pianist Lisa Hilton in the liner notes for her new release Chalkboard Destiny, recorded with jazz luminaries JD Allen on tenor sax, Rudy Royston on drums and Luques Curtis on bass. It’s an appropriate prelude for an album that unfolds with the track "Rush Hour Rhapsody" – quickly exposing the listener to the shimmering energy of Hilton's band.
 
Hilton conveys that the concept behind Chalkboard Destiny is the idea that our future, our destiny, can be continually reshaped, implying that we are not beholden by history or traditional myths, allowing us a freedom in creation. The title track, "Chalkboard Destiny," easily exhibits this concept with Royston’s rim shots crackling for attention.
 
There’s also a hard-to-pin-down energy flowing between Allen’s explosive virtuoso displays, the dynamic details of Royston’s accents and the booming lines of Curtis’s bass alongside Hilton’s fluid piano. Allen's solo in the middle of "Sympathy for Blues" is astounding, and along with Curtis's agile bass, Royston's touch and the laid back retro charm of Hilton's piano.
 
Hilton shows her harmonic and emotional depth with her tender ballad, "Temporary Lullaby," as well as the moving "Waltz From Nowhere." The Joni Mitchell classic "Blue Boy" showcases the compatibility of this group – Allen’s dusky tenor a contrast to his band mates. Tracks "Tropic of Tango," "Myths & Fantasy," and "Adventures & Alibis" all explore Latin rhythms and engaging harmonic ideas as well. "Café au Mojo" is a bright piece where traditional ideas abound. It’s noteworthy that GRAMMY® Award-winning engineers – Al Schmitt, Gavin Lurssen, Reuben Cohen, Fernando Lodeiro — all contributed to the high quality soundscape.
 
Hilton's style influences extend beyond jazz legends Thelonious Monk, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, to include bluesman Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, to classical giants like Chopin. Hilton’s releases consistently sustain her profile as a consistent composer, pianist, producer and bandleader. She also performs at venues across the US from the Weill Recital Hall within the legendary Carnegie Hall to Chicago’s historic Green Mill and is known her expressive technique at the piano as well as for her warmth and storytelling on stage.
 
Originally from a small town on California's central coast, Hilton studied classical and twentieth century piano formally from the age of eight, where she was inspired by her great uncle, Willem Bloemendall, (1910-1937), a young Dutch piano virtuoso. In college though, due to the lack of creativity in the music program, she switched majors and received a degree in art instead. Ever since becoming a professional musician, this background in the fine arts has well informed Hilton's composition process.
 
Committed to helping students who are often overlooked, for years Hilton has regularly spent time to help blind students at the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who are Blind, Jr. Blind of America, Camp Bloomfield for the Blind, and The Berklee College in Boston and their adaptive music lab for visually impaired. "I enjoy extending help to those with physical disabilities - music should be for everyone," Hilton says.

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  • AVAILABLE NOW: Lisa Hilton’s “Chalkboard Destiny | Ruby Slipper Productions - AVAILABLE NOW: Lisa Hilton Redefines Her Path with New Album Chalkboard Destiny via Ruby Slipper Productions “We live in an exciting time of constant change…” is the introductory quote from composer and acclaimed pianist Lisa Hilton in the liner notes for her new release Chalkboard Destiny, recorded with jazz luminaries JD Allen on tenor sax, Rudy Royston on drums and Luques Curtis on bass. It’s an appropriate prelude…
  • Lisa Hilton | “Chalkboard Destiny” on Ruby Slipper Productions - Lisa Hilton Redefines Her Path with Latest Album Chalkboard Destiny Available December 6 via Ruby Slipper Productions Hilton is Joined by J.D. Allen, Rudy Royston and Luques Curtis   “WOW! A quantum leap compositionally, as well as the overall aura.  Hilton has an absolutely unique and beautiful sound – fast or slow – BRAVO!” – Hugh Carson, KVNF Radio “My favorite album we’ve…
  • AVAILABLE NOW: Lisa Hilton | “OASIS” | Ruby Slippers Productions - Available Now on Ruby Slippers Productions: Lisa Hilton Forges Safe Haven During Tumultuous Times with New Release OASIS “Hilton’s melodies frequently blend the two-handed punch of Horace Silver with the moodiness of McCoy Tyner…” – Stereogum “Hilton’s music is picturesque and impressionistic… the pianist has excellent technique.” – DownBeat An enticing oasis pulsing with West Coast cool energy is…
  • Lisa Hilton | “OASIS” | Available December 7 via Ruby Slippers Productions - Lisa Hilton Forges Safe Haven During Tumultuous Times with New Release OASIS Album Available December 7 via Ruby Slippers Productions “Hilton’s melodies frequently blend the two-handed punch of Horace Silver with the moodiness of McCoy Tyner…” – Stereogum “Hilton’s music is picturesque and impressionistic…the pianist has excellent technique.” – Downbeat An enticing oasis pulsing with West…
  • AVAILABLE NOW: Lisa Hilton -“Escapism”- Ruby Slippers Productions - Out Today on Ruby Slippers Productions    Lisa Hilton Sets Forth On A  Journey Promoting Peace, Tranquility and  Positive Energy with Escapism  Lisa Hilton often settles in at her piano and riffs on everyone from Miles Davis and Horace Silver to The Black Keys and Green Day, until she can find peace within the notes, letting them fill the…
  • Lisa Hilton – “Escapism” – Available December 1 on Ruby Slippers Productions - Lisa Hilton Sets Forth On A Journey Promoting  Peace, Tranquility and Positive Energy with Escapism –  Available December 1 on Ruby Slippers Productions    Lisa Hilton often settles in at her piano and riffs on everyone from Miles Davis and Horace Silver to The Black Keys and Green Day, until she can find peace within the notes,…

One of the Best Releases of 2018 All About Jazz

TOP 5 JAZZ ARTISTS OF 2018 FemMusic.com

ARTIST OF THE MONTH / DECEMBER 2018 Sounds of Timeless Jazz

 

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“Like whispers of a better place just around the corner if you’re prepared to take the ride, the tunes of West Coast mainstay and prolific pianist/composer Lisa Hilton’s exciting, well paced OASIS work their way into your listening space and take up residence…. Hilton’s active left hand teams brilliantly with the resilient give and take and formidable chops of bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitley Jr.”  - All About Jazz

“Reliably exceptional – that is how I would describe Lisa Hilton. … Her composing and performance could be described as existing between impressionism and expressionism, but the one thing all her performances have is a heartbeat.  Swinging-ly grounded in the beat she establishes is where Hilton’s charm shines the brightest.” - All About Jazz

“Some of the same insouciant spirit as much of Paul Desmond.” - Arts Journal

"'Oasis' is freedom and lyrical art. It overflows with Hilton’s somersaulting narrative, lyricism in every note, turning and churning in on itself — expressed with thought, clarity, and the fusion of movement and texture. Hilton slips in a whirlwind of feeling in “Watercolor World,” as a painter would to her canvas — in splashes and spurts, behind your back. The composition unravels in ever-shifting threads, which she seems to brush and stroke back into a semblance of orderly life. Her aerial lifts bank up against contrasting, darker chords for that subtle textural context she’s known for.” - Festival Peak

“Lisa Hilton shows her impressive composing skills as well as ability to create a sonic mood.  She’s able to mix classical impressionistic moods a la Debussy, but with a swinging pulse.”  Jazz Weekly

“Pulsing with a West Coast cool energy.” - Jazziz Magazine

“Hilton takes it old school with a cool school set…the vibe is low key and the notes get your head bobbing.  Mighty chops and good taste…another winner from a winner herself.” Midwest Record

“Hilton shows off her left-handed dexterity, while her right hand improvises brightly. Mark Whitfield Jr., keeps the trap drums strong beneath her up-tempo prowess. Luques Curtis, on bass, locks into the production to bring solid support.” - Musical Memoirs

“Throughout the musicianship is excellent.  The songs are melodious, memorable and swinging…add this to your must-hear list.” - New York City Jazz Record

“Beautiful sounds & clever but informative repartee – Hilton continued to draw undivided attention to her introspective playing style as well as the layers and layers of piano virtuosity.” - Sounds of Timeless Jazz

“The new trio brilliantly showcase their collective abilities. OASIS has many merits: Lisa Hilton provides her stunning virtuosity beautifully and exquisitely” Sounds of Timeless Jazz

“Lisa Hilton is one of the most famous composers and pianists in modern jazz.” - Video Heart/Vietnam

LISA_HILTON_CHALKBOARD_DESTINY

Chalkboard Destiny

ITUNES AMAZON

Record Label: Ruby Slippers Productions
Release Date: December 6, 2019