Book Coverage:

The New Face of Jazz: An Intimate Look at Today's Living Legends and the Artists of Tomorrow (Random House 2010)
by Cicly Janus, Ned Radinsky, Sonny Rollins, Marcus Miller, and Wynton Marsalis

Read about Lisa Hilton and other artists in "The New Face of Jazz": a book for all those jazz fans who want an in-depth look at who and what is hot on the jazz scene today.


Press Reviews:

"Underground"

Recommended New Release for April: “Underground”:
Lawrence Donohue-Greene, Managing Editor, The New York City Jazz Record (formerly AAJ/NY)

"But how does she sound? Well, she treats most of her chords like big doleful concerns: They can consume, but they almost always demand your deepest investigation, concentration. That's why their pathos is so strong. In the right hand, Hilton crafts illuminative, seeping melodies. When she wants to, she can coax a sound from the upper-middle register that's reminiscent of the way Bill Evans used to sound: like he was splitting delicate icicles into pieces, gently, with a flick of the middle finger. Hilton's newest CD is stacked with some of the world's greatest musicians, J.D. Allen, Larry Grenadier, Nasheet Waits…."
Capital Bop/ March 24, 2011

“One of the major voices in the modern jazz community.   A rarity that she displays a truly original voice.”
George Harris, The Jazz Messenger/June 2011

"Emerging from the "underground", with a strong new album of compelling originals, "Underground" should expose this talented artist to a whole new audience…Hilton is a strikingly original voice on the piano."
JazzChicago.net/April 3, 2011

"Something new and different that has something going for it other than just being different. Still sort of mainstream but wildly ear opening, Hilton is fully in touch with some universal vibe that lifts this session up and away. Hot stuff."
Midwest Record/March 17, 2011

"Pianist/composer Lisa Hilton adds a bit of extra spice on this latest release. Her music, usually flowing like a river, is a bit more like a Class V rapids here, with extra assertion and percussion in the writing and delivery…. Inspired impressionism… an original voice."
The Jazz Messenger/ March 7, 2011

"For fans of jazz, this is an absolute must."
Pat Van de Wiele, Keys & Chords/Netherlands

"Hilton, like the best jazz master – puts her ensemble to new and great use as they dismantle the historical precedence of such influences as Bill Evans and John Coltrane. Their new music becomes the final take layered over the past, redirecting the complex touchstones of jazz into the 21st century."
Paula Edelstein, Sounds of Timeless Jazz/March

"A top notch crew of like-minded musicians. This CD probes and explores, and bears repeated listening."
Martin Z. Kasdan Jr./ Louisville Music News/ May 2011

"Strongly impressionistic."
The Borderland/May 2011

“A post bop CD that doesn’t quietly fade into the background”.  NYC Jazz Record June/2011

“Hilton clearly has a musical voice.”  Down Beat, August/2011

Editor's Pick: Boston Phoenix, May 2011

"Lisa Hilton has topped herself with UNDERGROUND. She's never played, written or expressed herself better as an artist. This is living adventurous jazz that breathes fresh but at the same time is rooted in the best parts of the past – and always deeply emotive. Surrounded by some of the finest musicians working today, Hilton hits the mark on every cut. She's joined the ranks of her own contemporary heroes."
Todd Steed, WUOT/Knoxville

“If jazz is your passion this beautiful CD is for you.  The piano keys express adeep warmth, beauty and speak to your soul.  Rich melodies and delicate improvisations, Lisa shares her rich musical talent with the world.”  Gabriole Springford, Eagle Eye One Magazine/Canada

"Shimmering and spacious. Hilton easily holds her own and her compositions clearly inspire all concerned. "
Mike Joyce, JazzTimes/June 2011

"Nuance"

"When I hear Lisa Hilton play, it makes me smile. There is something about her music that is earthly, spontaneous and truly from the heart. I can honestly say her music touches my musical DNA."
- Bubba Jackson/KKJZ Radio, Los Angeles

"One of the few pianists with her own identifiable sound – this is a recording that focuses and captures the exquisite subtleties of life. Her pieces like 'Stars' and 'So This Is Love' glisten with poise and grace. 'Meltdown' and her reading of Monk's 'Off Minor' display her ability to mix solos that exude deeply personal reflection…a lovely album of originals and standards that sets a mood. Pensive and impressionistic."
-George Harris/All About Jazz

"An interesting musical journey for piano ace Hilton… have we got a 'new' artist for you. Check it out."
- Chris Spector/The Midwest Record

"It's magic."
- Diana Nollen/Cedar Rapids Gazette

"Nuance is a tenacious detoxification from the jazz mediocrity. Lisa Hilton has offered the shelves of jazz a carousel of diverse signature sounds."
- Karl Stober/ WaxTrenzz

"Although Lisa Hilton has been compared to some of the best pianists in history, such as Bill Evans and Brad Mehldau, her sound and style are of her own".
- The New Face of Jazz: An Intimate Look At Today's Living Legends and the Artists of Tomorrow by Cicily Janus/ Random House

"A deeply expressive style of coaxing sounds from keys and offering rich melodies and improvisations".
- Philip Booth, DownBeat Magazine

"Her crystalline touch goes from the dark and foreboding deep to the celebrative high notes, delivering shadowy reflections along with vivacious joy".
- George Harris, JazzWeekly

"The legacy of pianist Lisa Hilton escalates her degree of prominence in the global jazz hemisphere".
- Karl Stober/ eJazz News

"An impressionist intent on creating and sustaining moods".
- George Kanzler/ All About Jazz/NY

"Hilton's originality is her strength".
- Brad Walseth/JazzChicago.net

"Twilight & Blues"

"Forget all of the piano sensations that are out there - the best newer voice out there lives in Malibu: Lisa Hilton.....The whole disc has an ambience that draws you in while swinging with emotion.  The band shows its chops... thoughtful and well crafted from start to finish, this is a must have for jazz fans.
- George Harris/All About Jazz

"A deeply expressive style, appealing impressionism."
- Philip Booth/DownBeat

"A very easy album to get addicted toHilton displays her piano chops with great skill and she has a dream team of sidemen."
- Eric Allen, Jazz Rendezvous/S. Africa

"A stellar lineup...Ms. Hilton demonstrates her maturity as a pianist enough that any listener will appreciate her gift". 
- Eric Cohen/WAER Radio, NY

"An indefinable effervescence."
- Brian Lush/Rockwired

"Hilton uses blue notes to create an intimate world of beauty that is true to the artist she is. Hilton's originality of vision is her strength, and her light touch is as lovely as she is and as addictive as the waves breaking near her Malibu home." 
- Brad Walseth/Jazz Chicago.net

"As elegant as she is warm and passionate.  Excellently engineered and produced."
- Joe Montague/Riveting Riffs, Canada

"Exciting for the listener... hot stuff". 
- Chris Spector/Midwest Record

"Twilight & Blues will delight."
- Kathy Parsons/MainlyPiano.com

"Intense charges of emotion."
- Fanis Kostouros/Mousikes Diadromes, Greece

"A definite West Coast cool vibean impressionist intent on creating and sustaining moods. "
- George Kanzler/All About Jazz NY

"Sunny Day Theory"

"A top notch piano player... Sunny Day Theory is music at its finest."
- All About Jazz

"Feel Good Music"
- JazzTimes

"A ray of sunshine in these dark times"
- JazzChicago.net

"Diabolically seductive... Ms. Hilton continues to unclog the arteries of jazz".
- Jazz Review.com

"A throbbing undercurrent of West Coast cool ala classic Brubeck/Desmond sides"
- Midwest Record

"Ace musicianship"
- Rockwired

"Hilton's virtuosity is absolutely stunning. One of the best recordings of the year"
- Sounds of Timeless Jazz

"Her quarter here is Parnassian"
- Buffalo News

"There is something quite refreshing about this approach to a modern jazz recording"
- NY Jazz Improv

"Sunny Day Theory manipulates the senses and holds sway within any setting"
- EJazzNews.com

"Lisa Hilton always delivers with each new release, and 'Sunny Day Theory' is no exception"
- MainlyPiano.com

"Sunny Day Theory highlights Hilton's dexterity on the piano with inspired originals and surprising takes on familiar compositions such as Hoagy Carmichael's 'Skylark' and Joni Mitchell's 'Ladies of the Canyon'. Backed by ace musicianship from the likes of Lewis Nash (drums), Larry Grenadier (bass), and Brice Winston (tenor sax), Sunny Day Theory is an engaging listen where Hilton's artistry rings loud and true".
- Brian Lush, RockWired

"La estupenda pianista... magnificas composiciones".
- Roberto Vales Fernandez, A Ultima Fronteira (Spain)

"The New York Sessions"

"Genuine Talent"
- Jazziz Magazine

"Exciting and compelling... a virtuoso pianist and a world-cast cast of players"
- Edward Blanco, EJazzNews

"Hilton has that certain something that takes her playing to a whole different level. Some of the most dazzling instrumental music to come along in a while. This is a piano player you have to get to know"
- Chris Spector, Midwest Record

"An all-star supporting cast"
Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

"Midnight In Manhattan":

"As elegant and refined a collection as you'll hear anywhere... Ms. Hilton's own playing, subtle, enchanting, and always impeccable"
- Ted Hasiuk, Cafe Jazz/Canada, September 2006

"Sinfully, sultry mix of originals and standards... there is nothing but encores"
- Karl Stober, ejazz news, June 2006

"my favorite things":

"Another tasty Collection... quite simply elegant"
- Ted Hasiuk, Cafe Jazz/Canada, September 4, 2005

"As stunning as the artist herself... 'My Favorite Things' needs to be yours"
- Karl Stober, JazzTrenzz, September 2005

"Hilton's classy, fluid jazz stylings are easy to listen to... 'my favorite things' is a most enjoyable album, offering a blend of more serious music and good-time tunes"
- Kathy Parsons, Solo Piano Publications

"Lisa Hilton dishes out some classy interpretations... This write was most impressed with Hilton's original tunes"
- Richard Bourcier, JazzReview.com

"As beautiful as she is talented, there is no doubt that this pianist has a gift for jazz"
- ThisMonthInMusic.com

"Lisa takes classical jazz tunes and brings them back to life on the piano. This CD will soon become a favorite with jazz lovers"
- Leroy Zent, KGPR

"Jazz After Hours"

"Remisiscent of some of Dave Brubeck's work"
- RJ Lannan, The Sounding Board, June 18, 2004

"A vibrant composer and exceptional pianist with the passion and panache few artists capture"
- Karl Stober, JazzTrenzz, September 6, 2004

"'Jazz After Hours' is a great album for relaxing and reenergizing, a backdrop for an intimate dinner, or even good party music"
- Kathy Parsons, Solo Piano Publications, September 2, 2004

"When Lisa tickles the keys in her unique, playful style, you know she's having fun"
- Andy Parrish, WVSU General Manager, September 2005

"In The Mood for Jazz":

"Lisa has outdone herself with this album... exquisitely setting all the right moods with the help of some very talented musicians. I absolutely LOVE this album"
- Eric Cohen, Music Director, WAER, May 2003

"Very rarely does an artist come along with the versatility of moving between such diverse styles as to nail Gershwin's My Love is Here to Stay' then Jobim's Girl From Ipanema, while saving just enough for my favorite, 'Just For Fun"
- Al Santos, WJZW, June 2003

"Remisiscent of some of Dave Brubeck's work"
- RJ Lannan, The Sounding Board, June 18, 2004

"Feeling Good"

"Makes our listeners Feel Good!"
- Bruce Pollock, VP/GM, KRQS

"'Feeling Good' is captivating"
- Rick ODell, Radio Host, WNUA

"I liked what I heard... Great little sax and piano going on"
- Mark Sanford, Assistant Program Director, KOAI

"This album will definitely leave you 'Feeling Good"
- Eric Cohen, Music Director, WAER

"Cocktails at Eight...":

"When I happened across 'Cocktails at Eight' by Lisa Hilton, my ears did a total double-take. I was immediately captivated by the music, and Lisa had me grooving to her arrangements of both 'Take Five' and Echoes of Harlem'. As to her original compositions, 'Seduction and Waterfall are my favorites, solo piano works that are as poetic as they are infecting. Cocktails at Eight? Why stop there, I could listen to this CD all night."
- David Nevue, solopianoradio.com

"Seduction":

"Exceptional playing style... very enjoyable"
- Kathy Parson, mainlypiano.com

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