Lisa Hilton | Lucky All Along

In her liner notes for her latest release entitled Lucky All Along (Ruby Slippers Productions 1030) out November 29, 2024, the acclaimed pianist/composer/band leader Lisa Hilton shares that the music is “Inspired by the history of cool jazz as well as the art of Impressionism.” Instead of paint, her compositional tools include “different harmonic palettes and rhythmic textures such as blues, swing, improvisation, free jazz, polyrhythms, bop, ragtime, early rock, the Latin tinge and traditional riffs.” Hilton hails from California, where many cool jazz creators previously lived for a period. These musicians include some of the most iconic jazz artists of all time: Miles Davis (1926-1991), Chet Baker (1929-1988), Stan Getz (1927-1991), as well as pianist Bill Evans (1920-1980). These “cool” and very expressive artists favored a moody style of playing with innovative harmonic explorations versus the more energetic “hot," or free jazz styles. 

Hilton also mentions being inspired by impressionist artists, including Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), the French painter George Seurat (1859-1891), and French plein-air painter Claude Monet (1840-1926), who were searching for new ways to express what they saw and felt through their art. This same spirit has fueled explorations in a variety of musical directions on Hilton’s outstanding new quartet release. 

Percolating with ideas, the nine original compositions and three cover tunes are intimate, enthralling, and laced throughout with rich blue tones, and swinging with Hilton's expressive touch on the piano. Lucky All Along gracefully shares the spotlight with quartet mates Igmar Thomas on trumpet, Luques Curtis on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums and percussion. 

Thomas’s virtuosity is stunning on Hilton’s tracks And Some Blues…, Prophesies and Predictions as well as the iconic All Blues by Miles Davis from his 1959 album Kind Of Blue, but blends well with Hilton’s round piano tones and bluesy solos. Curtis creates powerful and at times almost boisterous solos on these tracks too, delivering a steady stream of energy. Melodicism takes center stage on Hollywood Moment, reminiscent of some of Bill Evans’ pianism and Starry, Starry Eyes, which Hilton notes was inspired by impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh. Royston’s creative moves delight throughout but imbue the Latin tinge tunes Little Beach Mornings and Escapist Fantasy with charm and mastery. Big Sur View allows us to hear Hilton’s solo piano clarity and expression in an Americana composition with classical touches. The titular Lucky All Along, has a countrified vibe, with a touch of ragtime. 

Hilton’s notes she chose two cover tunes because “I think jazz should reflect our times today and great composers of this generation too." See You Again, was co-written by singer/songwriter/producer Charlie Puth, whom Hilton met when he was still a student at Berklee College of Music. This touching tune was inspired by the loss of Puth’s friend in a motorcycle accident and radiates with Thomas’s improvisations and Royston’s steady support. Hilton added Puth’s solo piano intro to the finale of this track. 

The intimate Snow On The Beach, co-written by Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Jack Antonoff, is the last track on the album. Subtlety is the approach to this expressive song, that hints at holding onto rare and fleeting moments, bringing an impressionistic ending to this superb album. 

Brimming with ideas, hope and beauty, bursting with rhythm at times and creating impressionistic moods throughout, Lucky All Along has something for everyone - from those that are jazz curious to straight-ahead jazz fans, and beyond.

The music of Lisa Hilton draws on classic American jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, and Count Basie, as well as blues heroes Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. She is a prolific composer who records and performs with many of today's jazz luminaries. Her thirty albums regularly sit at the top of the Jazz Week and other radio/streaming charts for the last two decades, drawing millions of plays on streaming services and appearing regularly as an Amazon #1 New Jazz Release. Hilton has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Smithsonian Institution, UCLA's Royce Theatre, San Francisco Jazz, and Chicago's historic Green Mill.