Pianist and composer Lisa Hilton unveils her latest release, Extended Daydream, a genre-fluid album that brings together a seasoned quintet and a set of compositions shaped by personal reflection, natural beauty, and the turbulence of recent years.
Joined by JD Allen (saxophone), Igmar Thomas (trumpet), Rudy Royston (drums), and Luques Curtis (bass), Hilton delivers an 11-track recording that bridges eras while remaining firmly rooted in the present.
Praised for her “lyrical touch” and inventive writing, Hilton continues her long-running commitment to delivering new music rather than relying solely on jazz’s historic catalogue.
“Why only perform the music of the last century?” she says. “There are a ton of great composers working today too, right? Our albums are fluid and lively – the variety holds your interest.”
Extended Daydream opens with a first-take recording of Miles Davis’ “So What,” a classic interpreted with no rehearsal. It sets the tone for an album that shifts between reflective moods and rhythmic uplift.
“Momentary Mystery” and the title track explore uncertainty and resilience, while “Tropical Tuesday” leans into what Hilton calls the Latin tinge – an upbeat contrast to the album’s more contemplative moments.
Several compositions draw directly from Hilton’s experience living near three wildfires in Malibu during 2025.
“Blues on the Beach” and “Seabirds” juxtapose loss with natural beauty, while “It’s Just for Now” evokes change through shifting modes and motifs.
“I personally choose to look for what is good, while still understanding our challenging times,” Hilton says. “The music includes this layer of empathy.”
The band itself reflects more than a decade of collaboration. Hilton began working with JD Allen in 2009, later adding Royston and Curtis before trumpet player Igmar Thomas joined in 2022.
Their chemistry, she says, is shaped by distinct “musical personalities” – Allen’s tonal depth, Royston’s unpredictable textures, Thomas’ virtuosic surges, and Curtis’ versatility.
“I love being the contrast to what the band is doing,” Hilton adds.
Elsewhere, Hilton nods to contemporary songcraft with Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s “Wildflower,” highlighting her belief that modern jazz can stretch across genres without losing identity.
Closing with “Sunset Tale” (a personal favourite) and “Spacious Skies,” the album seeks calm and openness – an invitation, Hilton says, to notice beauty wherever it still exists.
Lisa on YouTube.