Lisa Hilton: Paradise Cove

"I think we all need jazz in our lives these days. From its inception, jazz and blues were created to boost moods or morale by America's earliest composers, such as Scott Joplin, Ferdinand Jelly Roll Morton, and Nick LaRocca around the beginning of the 1900s. The music on Paradise Cove was composed and created to refresh and reboot our collective spirits and inspire all to create a personal "cove" or protected "paradise" for our well-being. Our world desires and deserves a lift after these last couple of years, and with our L.I.L.O quartet (L.I.L.O. for our first initials), we aim to boost spirits everywhere. We had a fantastic time performing and recording Paradise Cove, and we hope you enjoy it too."

"Birks' Works," written by trumpeter extraordinaire John Birks Gillespie, aka "Dizzy" in 1957, is one of my favorite classic jazz tunes. We never rehearse before we record, so you can guess it's a favorite of everyone's here on this first take. I think this tune is a wonderful showcase for our L.I.L.O. quartet.

We live in complex and rapidly changing times. As a composer, I'm trying to connect with that energy on "Fast Time Blues." This piece keeps us on our toes tempo-wise while the slower sections mimic the exhaustion our culture feels.

I just love how the band recorded "Blues Vagabond!" It has a unique laid back/cool vibe. I was experimenting with playing the blues in a variety of ways on this one.

The subtext for "Another Simple Sunday With You" was that very simple or ordinary things can be filled with joy and beauty when you're with someone you love.

"Cha Cha Cha A' La Carte" is a lively mix of Latin styles all swinging this way and that -it's one of my favorites here. The last couple of years we have seen non-stop change. "Mercurial Moments," reflects both the light and dark parts of life, all with a Latin tinge.

Some classic jazz tunes of my mother's era had an edgy noir energy with lush harmonic ideas, and I sometimes enjoy composing with that vibe. "Night Cap & A Little Chaos" showcases that mid-century style.

With its simple repeating motif, "Storybook Sequel" transmits confidence that we can trust and believe in a positive future, or a "storybook" end.

During 2020, many of my friends spoke of missing travel, and the European shorelines were the focal point of that desire. On "Mediterranean Dreams" I tried to include that yearning and lust for freedom along with nature's beauty.

I love reading books about musicians. My sister Sandy gave me one on Burt Bacharach, and it inspired me to take a closer look at his jazz-inflected compositions. When I considered recording "What The World Needs Now Is Love" written by Bacharach in 1965 with lyricist Hal David, I wanted it to have some gravity. I added the blues intro and played an octave lower than it is usually heard, and asked Igmar to use a muted trumpet on this eloquent and timeless prayer for peace.

There is actually a spot near my home in Malibu called "Paradise Cove." It is a beautiful and secluded area tucked away on our California coastline that offers a sunny refuge to all who visit there. I hope people everywhere will feel uplifted when they listen to our music and bask in the joy we felt recording it.

Liner Notes copyright © 2024 Lisa Hilton.

Paradise Cove can be purchased here.

Contact Lisa Hilton at All About Jazz.
Lisa Hilton is a composer / pianist / bandleader / producer.

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