The Sound Cafe
Photo Credit: Ginger Sole Photography.
GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Judith Hill has unveiled a beautiful new single entitled ‘Dame de la Lumière’ (Lady of the Light), which is dedicated to her mother and grandmother. Its accompanying video puts Hill's raw emotions front and centre as she serenades both them and indeed generations of powerful women.
Not only is it a love letter to the ladies of the light who raised her, but an empowering tribute to women everywhere!“This is the story about my mother and my grandmother, two powerful women who taught me the meaning of perseverance,” states Hill. “I remember how they overcame the impossible and survived because they were determined to be there for their families. Standing on their shoulders, I carry on. I close my eyes and see the faces of every woman in history who turned weeds into leaves of evergreen. They stand taller than the mountains. If they can do it, I can do it. Bad times make strong women! This is my mantra.”
'Dame de la Lumière’ is included on Hill’s forthcoming new album, ‘Letters From A Black Widow’, which will be released on 26th April via Regime Music Group. Its dozen songs present a riveting story - from private pain to communal transcendence - and is her most soul-bearing work to date. The album follows ‘Baby, I’m Hollywood!’ (2021), which garnered widespread critical acclaim. Its mix of funk, rock, blues and soul was described by Record Collector as ‘breathtakingly kaleidoscopic’, while Echoes proclaimed it ‘Album of the year’ in a 5 star review. Where that album offered a rowdy coming-of-age tale of a mixed-race child of bohemian California, ‘Letters From A Black Widow’ is a formidable battle cry; a soul/funk/gospel passion play spectacularly written, arranged and performed by Hill.
Although Hill plays many of the instruments herself, the new record is not a strictly solo endeavour. Built on the unshakeable musical foundation she has enjoyed for most of her life, her band includes her parents, bassist Robert ‘Peewee’ Hill and keyboardist Michiko Hill, while she is also joined by John Staten (drums and percussion), Daniel Chae (strings) and a group of friends on backing vocals.Hill and her band will tour extensively in support of ‘Letters From A Black Widow’, with a North American tour prior to its release followed by a European tour that commences in Norway on 7th May and concludes in London on 8th June. A recently updated full tour itinerary is as follows:
TOUR DATES
07.05.24 STAVANGER (NO) Maijazz Festival
08.05.24 TRONDHEIM (NO) Trondheim Jazz Festival
09.05.24 HAMAR (NO) Hamar Jazz Festival
10.05.24 SANDVIKA (NO) Baerum Kulturhus
11.05.24 STOCKHOLM (SE) Fasching
12.05.24 STOCKHOLM (SE) Fasching
17.05.24 COPENHAGEN (DK) DR Concert Hall
19.05.24 SCHÖPPINGEN (DE) Blues Festival Schöppingen
21.05.24 ZÜRICH (CH) Kaufleuten
22.05.24 INNSBRUCK (AT) Treibhaus
23.05.24 RUBIGEN (CH) Mühle Hunziken
24.05.24 TÜBINGEN (DE) Sudhaus
26.05.24 WEERT (NL) Poppodium Q-Factory
29.05.24 SINT-NIKLAAS (BE) De Casino Concertzaal
30.05.24 PARIS (FR) New Morning
01.06.24 WEIZ (AT) Jazz Festival Weiz
04.06.24 ALMERIA (ES) Clasijazz
06.06.24 ANTALYA (TR) Akra Jazz Festival
07.06.24 HAMBURG (DE) Elbjazz Festival
08.06.24 LONDON (UK) Bush Hall