Q. & A. with Lisa Hilton on album Lucky All Along – Out 11/29/24
With Lisa Hilton / piano, Igmar Thomas / trumpet, Rudy Royston / drums & percussion, Luques Curtis / bass
Q. Congratulations on your thirtieth album Lucky All Along! Or perhaps should I be saying: “Happy 30th Birthday?”
Lisa Hilton: I like that – it has a nice ring to it! I’ve created twenty-eight albums in the U.S. and two in Asia, so I’m at thirty now, and somehow it just keeps getting more fun every year with every recording!
Q. Why do you think that is?
LH: As a composer, ideas flow much more quickly now that I have two hundred compositions, and it’s easier for me to get them written down too. In the past it was hard and time consuming for me to notate music scores. After I taught myself Sibelius, the notation software I use, it was still slow going for a while to notate, but nowadays I write music easily.
Q. That makes sense, and of course, you know your bandmates better too…
LH: It does feel like we are able to do more things musically now. We had a terrific time touring together in March 2024, and with familiarity everyone has become more intuitive, which leads to more freedom in our playing. Now we actively work to create spots for everyone to stand out. Luques Curtis has strong, almost boisterous bass performances on this album. Igmar Thomas knocks me out with his virtuosity on trumpet, and drummer Rudy Royston’s creativity always surprises me. I love how everyone sounds – I hear so much beauty, hope, joy, passion, mastery and life in this music – it really touches me and we hope others feel that way too.
LH: This time we worked at East West Studios in Hollywood. I’m very conscientious about sound, so I’ve recorded at numerous top studios. By far, East West was the coolest studio I’ve ever been in! I think the vibe there boosted our moods and creativity!
Q. How long does it take for you to record an album?
LH: We record in just one day: it takes about six hours plus set up time and breaks. It’s a full day.
Q. You must work pretty quickly!
LH: I like the music to feel fresh and authentic, not “perfect”. We discuss the ideas in the piece, record three takes, then move on.
Q. I noticed a lot of variety in song choices – your tunes alongside Miles Davis, Taylor Swift and Charlie Puth for example.
LH: Yep; whether you’re jazz curious or a straight ahead fan, there’s something for you on this album. I think most people enjoy genre-free listens these days for work, entertaining or to relax. We’ve got jazz, blues and Latin vibes with a sprinkle of pop, bop, country and gospel, and the band switches gears with agility throughout. Lots of upbeat rhythms and memorable melodies too.
Q. Do you have any favorite tunes on the Lucky All Along?
LH: I love them all! They touch you in so many ways, so listening to the full album feels like a journey. My fav might be And Some Blues…it has a pretty celebratory vibe to it. A couple people working at the studio said they liked Little Beach Mornings best. I could listen to All Blues over and over and over! Escapist Fantasy and Starry, Starry Eyes are very melodic and Latiny tunes that I really like. Lucky All Along is a bit countrified and unique, while Big Sur Views has a meditative quality. Prophesies & Predictions has lots of ideas – be sure to listen to that one through to the end. Hollywood Moment is also a favorite for me – it reminds me of pianist Bill Evans a bit. Both See You Again and Snow on the Beach are terrific compositions I’m glad we recorded.
Q. Tell us a bit more about those last two cover songs you just mentioned?
LH: Lots of jazz artists arrange tunes by the Beatles or Stevie Wonder, but I think jazz should reflect today and feature great composers of this generation. While he was still at Berklee College of Music, singer/songwriter/producer Charlie Puth opened up for me at a show I had in Boston. Even then, his skills, talent, and personality impressed me. After graduation, Charlie co-wrote a song about the loss of his friend in a motorcycle accident, which he expressed in a very touching way in the tune See You Again.
Snow On The Beach was written by Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Jack Antonoff for Taylor’s Midnights album in 2022. Although this is considered a pop song, I hear a touch of the great American composer Robert Johnson in this evocative composition. It is an extremely well written and beautiful song, and I love the very subtle improvisations from the bass and drums on this track. Snow on a beach is rare, so we finished a joyful album with the idea that every moment is rare and should be cherished.
For more information: LisaHiltonMusic.com Follow Lisa Hilton Music on all socials. Listen on jazz radio or any streaming service.
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