The goal of every artist is to have a distinct voice. Why try to sound like everyone else, like Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner or even Brad Mehldau? Just get their records, for Pete’s sake! The attractive thing about pianist Lisa Hilton’s music is that she has a distinct “tell” in her touch; a left hand that gently rolls along, almost like a contemplative pianist at the local saloon in Dodge City. The mix of late 19th century gently rollicking stride with 21st century energy makes this a wonderful melding of musical worlds. In this day of double fisted block chords, and staying stuck the middle of the piano, Ms Hilton explores both poles with a singularly digital strength that would make you wonder how she’d do with a Dynamometer.
Teamed up with long time compatriots Larry Grenadier/b and Nasheet Waits/dr, Hilton leads with the left as her fingers gallop on the exciting “Getaway” that drives with such a passion that you don’t want the chase to end. Long and drawn out Debussy-esque rubato chords still allow the orange light of her ectomorphic fingers to flash through the haze on “Evening Song,” while she sounds like she’s sneaking down the alley way on the playful and almost nursery rhymish “Just for Fun.” A logical selection from Earl Hines, “Stormy Monday Blues” displays the roots of her touch and style, while an agitated and restless “City Streets” as well as the dramatic and assertive “Lost and Found” has her in an exciting three way handball tournament with Waits and Grenadier. By the time of the closing solo take of “Huckleberry Moon” you feel that you know her musical compass, and it always points everyone in the right direction. As personal a stroke as a signature on an oil canvas.
She’ll be performing at Catalina’s Jazz Club on May 16. Don’t miss it!
Lisa Hilton Music
www.lisahiltonmusic.com
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