In her liner notes for her latest release entitled Lucky All Along (Ruby Slippers Productions 1030) out November 29th, 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.

1. Little Beach Mornings
2. All Blues
3. Prophesies & Predictions
4. Hollywood Moment
5. And Some Blues…
6. Escapist Fantasy
7. See You Again
8. Starry, Starry Eyes
9. Lucky All Along
10. Big Sur Views
11. Snow on the Beach

This beautifully crafted, and truly melodious new recording opens on the magnificently sumptuous Little Beach Mornings and the low slung, late night ambiance of Miles Davis’ All Blues and then comes the veritably shimmering Prophesies & Predictions, the graceful Hollywood Moment and one of my own personal favorites here, the earnestly sculpted And Some Blues….

Along next is the relaxed elegance of Escapist Fantasy and the enraptured soulfulness of Charlie Puth’s See You Again and they are in turn backed by the quietly free flowing Starry, Starry Eyes, the flourishing Lucky All Along, the album rounding out on the languishing Big Sur Views, closing on the sheer elegance shown threaded throughout Snow on the Beach (co-written by Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Jack Antonoff).

Musicians:
Lisa Hilton | Piano
Igmar Thomas | Trumpet
Luques Curtis | Bass
Rudy Royston | Drums/Percussion

Lisa Hilton - And Some Blues... [Official Music Video]