3/29/2022
Performances and Artists
Singer-songwriter Judith Hill to perform original tunes spanning funk, soul and rock on April 30
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Judith Hill still remembers the day Prince gave her a call.
“There was an interview with me where someone asked me ‘who would be your dream collaboration?’ and I said ‘Prince,’” Hill remembers. “He saw that interview and he reached out to me. Long story short, he invited me to (his home and studio) Paisley Park, and we talked about music.”
Quickly recognizing the talent behind Hill’s passionate music fusing funk, soul and rock, Prince promptly produced her first album and became her musical mentor.
Hill proceeded to open for Prince and tour extensively with him — all experiences she will never forget.
“It was very intimidating to begin with, but then it was such an incredible master class,” she says. “You’re able to take a show to a whole new level with that intensity and focus and momentum.”
Hill is no stranger to performing at the highest level with entertainment megastars.
She has recorded and sang with titans like Rod Stewart and Josh Grobin, scored original music for a feature film – and was even chosen for a duet with Michael Jackson.
Now Southern Nevada audiences can experience Hill’s fiery vocals and multi-instrumental wizardry up close, when she performs April 30 in Myron’s at The Smith Center. Backed by a multi-piece band, she will showcase original tunes from her new album, “Baby, I’m Hollywood,” as well as hits from her prior albums.
“We like to give people a taste of everything,” she says. “I hope audiences are inspired, uplifted and feel connected.”
Working with Entertainment Icons
Hill’s talents earned her impressive opportunities from the start.
She sang back-up vocals for Elton John, Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow, with her impressive back-up work chronicled in the Oscar-winning documentary “20 Feet from Stardom.”
“(Singing with these legends) was really inspiring, because every artist is different,” she says. “All that time I was like a sponge, soaking it all up and learning so much.”
The first time Hill recorded her original music was for a film soundtrack, when legendary director Spike Lee approached her after she performed at an event.
“He felt like my music was a good fit for his project,” she says, which led to writing music for his movie “Red Hook Summer.” “He’s very down to Earth and fun to be around, and it was a lot of fun to do.”
A Duet with Michael Jackson
One of Hill’s most emotional experiences stems from an audition for Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” tour.
She was chosen to perform both as a back-up vocalist and to sing the duet "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with Jackson.
“We rehearsed a lot with Michael, and just in that short time working with him it was like a dream world, because he lived in a dream world,” she says. “Being able to step into his universe of creativity was really inspiring. It wasn’t just about the music, but about his message and the choreography and making it magical.”
When Jackson died weeks later, Hill sang “Heal the World” with a children’s choir at his memorial service.
“It was really sad and intense, but it was a spiritual experience because his music is very spiritual,” she says.
Passionate Musical Fusion
Hill’s vibrant blend of funk, soul and rock “is a good hybrid of who I am,” she says.
“The message (in my music) is about being able to explore all emotions on a deep level, whether it’s pain or heartache or joy or freedom,” she says.
She considers the intimate Myron’s venue at The Smith Center an ideal setting for such powerful songs.
“We live in a time where music is the soundtrack or the background to what we’re doing,” she says. “But I love music where it’s the centerpiece, where you have to stop and pay attention to the lyrics and the story.”
SEE THE SHOW
Judith Hill performs on April 30 in Myron’s at The Smith Center – for tickets, CLICK HERE.