Even as the
title of "Tomorrow"—the debut album from Phoenix's Ira Hill—hints at
a bright future for the sensational 19-year-old jazz vocalist, it pays its dues
to the past by means of an attentive and eclectic set list. In spite, if not
also because of Hill's gloriously extroverted vocalese, the album comes across
as a vividly personal journey. Hill's tender delivery is much more mature than
his years, ensuring that "Tomorrow" is certain to invite a new
generation of enthusiasts to appreciate the genre, while impressing scores of
seasoned musicians and jazz aficionados. Sample Tomorrow's tracks at
cdbaby.com/cd/irahill12. View video: "Billie's Bounce."
"Ira
Hill possesses all the ingredients that precede a rise to stardom as a jazz
vocalist," said internationally acclaimed jazz, blues and symphony pops
vocal luminary, Dr. Dee Daniels. "The fact that he is only 19-years-old
could lead one to believe in reincarnation. The composer, educator and mentor
continued excitedly, "I suggest you keep your eyes and ears on Ira to
witness his journey to global recognition!"
The album’s
core trio pianist John Proulx, bassist Kevin Axt and drummer Dave Tull gives
young Hill all the space both he and his listeners need to luxuriate in the
breadth of his sound. With the trio alone, he turns evergreens like “My Funny
Valentine” and “Tomorrow's Another Day” even greener. The hallmark of any jazz
singer is not only the way in which he lays out the melodies, but also the way
in which he infuses the lyrics with soul. At a tender 19, Hill navigates a
familiar songbook as if it were his own, singing as one who means every word.
Balancing sophistication and fun, he brings his all to every tune with panache,
gratitude and always with a smile.
But it’s
really in “Afro Blue,” the album’s slick opener, that one gets the immediacy of
his feel for groove and atmosphere. Integrated seamlessly into the trio, along
with vibraphonist Craig Fundyga, percussionist Alex Acuna and reedman Doug
Webb, Hill buffs every edge until it fits flush with the next.
At every
turn of "Tomorrow," one can count on a rich, emotional directness in
Hill’s singing. He incorporates several timeless favorites into the album's
repertoire, including an uplifting “Billie’s Bounce;” the scintillating
staccato of “Cloudburst” in which he duets with The Manhattan Transfer’s Cheryl
Bentyne; a swinging “I’ll Remember April” and bright “You’ve Proven Your
Point,” which ends the album on a Latin vibe, paying tribute to Ira’s
childhood, spent partly south of the border. In all of these, one encounters
Ira’s gifts for rhythm and tonal color in spades. Tomorrow is certain to be a
much-appreciated holiday gift-giving favorite!
"Ira Hill
is coming out of the gate strong. Just in his first week at radio, his CD has
hit the Most Added Charts at CMJ and Jazzweek, including the Biggest Gainer
Chart," hailed music promoter Kari Gaffney. "Tomorrow" is
showing significant promise among the crowded field of jazz releases primed for
the end of year push at radio." Most agreeable, Hill's debut album is
certain to be a much-appreciated holiday gift-giving favorite.
About the
artist:
Born 1996 in
Bakersfield, California, Ira spent his earliest years shuttling between the
United States and Mexico, before settling in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of
seven. His father, a jazz enthusiast, introduced him to the Motown greats on
which he, by age 10, Ira would be cutting his teeth. This was the foundation for
Hill's inevitable future His ever-supportive father brought 14-year-old Ira to
hear Grammy-nominated Count Basie vocalist Dennis Rowland in concert. Before
the show, dad introduced Ira to Rowland, who, upon discovering that Ira wanted
to sing, gave him an opportunity to perform on stage.
He sang the Temptations hit “My Girl” with Rowland's jazz big band. The performance earned the youth a standing ovation, and opened his eyes to a wholly new possibility of self-expression. After experimenting with other music genres, Hill finally landed smoothly in jazz. During this period of intense artistic development, he benefited immeasurably from mentors Rowland and Grammy-nominated pianist and vocalist Judy Roberts, another fixture of the Phoenix scene.
He sang the Temptations hit “My Girl” with Rowland's jazz big band. The performance earned the youth a standing ovation, and opened his eyes to a wholly new possibility of self-expression. After experimenting with other music genres, Hill finally landed smoothly in jazz. During this period of intense artistic development, he benefited immeasurably from mentors Rowland and Grammy-nominated pianist and vocalist Judy Roberts, another fixture of the Phoenix scene.
In addition
to vocalists, Ira has learned much by proxy from the likes of Lee Morgan,
Dexter Gordon and Bill Evans—musicians whose art allowed Ira to infuse his own
musicianship with an instrumental flavor. This is most obvious in his scatting,
which at once distinguishes him from his bandmates and humbles him as an equal
improviser among them.
Ira Hill
credits the time graciously given to him by greats who genuinely care about the
up-and-coming generation of stars, and who instilled in him the confidence to
brave his first solo. To that end, it was while participating in a Los Angeles
jazz workshop that young Ira fatefully met Cheryl Bentyne of The Manhattan
Transfer, who was so impressed by his singing that she invited him back to L.A.
to lay down this full studio album, which she also produced. Hill has crafted a
consummately individual statement that speaks true, sings truer, and promises
to be the springboard to a prosperous career.
The new
album is called "Tomorrow," and with Ira leading the way, that’s just
what we have to look forward to from this young and very talented singer. To
learn more about the sensational young vocalist, please visit
http://www.irahill.com.
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