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Z.Z. Hill
When Blues Singer Z.Z. Hill signed with the southern soul label Malaco in 1980, he also stepped into the role of a modern (back then) savior of the blues. Since blues supposedly no longer sold, everyone was shocked in 1982 when Hill's second album, “Down Home Blues,” sold 500,000 copies. It was the most successful blues album ever, revealing a core audience for quality blues records, revitalizing the appeal. It also became an anthem for R&B singers struggling against disco and the emergence of rap. The Blues was coming back from back down South, where it all started. Born in Naples, Texas, Arzell Hill spent much of his childhood singing in the church. After deciding he would be a performer, Arzell became Z. Z. for recording purposes. Several artists influenced him, his favorite being the late Sam Cooke. Z. Z. started his singing career with a group by the name of The Spiritual Five. Prior to this group, he had never performed or sang with a band. With the assistance of his brother, Matt Hill, Z. Z. left his truck driving job and went to California to "give it a shot" as advised by the late Otis Redding. His first original tune was You Were Wrong which was produced by his brother. Z. Z. recorded for Atlantic, Kent and Columbia Records, as well as several family (Hill) labels. He worked steadily, but didn't get the recognition he so very much deserved. Lack of promotion and poor attendance for his shows contributed to the slow period in his career. A willing to be patient and to persevere through the hard times proved to positively turn his career around. After more than twenty years in the music business, Z. Z. found his niche with Malaco Records in 1982. His success with the “Down Home Blues” album led him to dates with such people as B. B. King and Bobby Bland. "Down Home Blues" became a viable link to southern tradition for many people who left the south to venture out into other parts of the U. S. It earned him a place in Blues history. Hill received the "Blues Vocalist of the Year Award" in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1984, from The Blues Foundation. The Awards program is an annual event held in the memory of W. C. Handy, one of the founding fathers of the BLUES.
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Harlem Stage Presents Eternal Spirit: Vijay Iyer & Friends Celebrate the Music of Andrew Hill on March 1-2, 2024
Source:
Michael Ricci
Friday, March 1, 2024 7:30 PM 9:30 PM Additional Performances March 2, 2024—7:30PM Harlem Stage 150 Convent Avenue New York, NY 10031 (212) 281-9240 Seating: Reserved Seating Described by The New York Times as a “social conscience, multimedia collaborator, system builder, rhapsodist, historical thinker, and multicultural gateway,” composer and pianist Vijay Iyer is one of the leading music-makers of his generation. Iyer returns, following his Harlem Stage commissioned work, Holding It Down, to guest curate and perform in ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Andrew Hill
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Andrew Hill's birthday today!
Over nearly half a century, composer-pianist-ensemble leader Andrew Hill gained international jazz renown for his uniquely original music and recorded ouevre, which is by turns dark, fragile, funny, stark, unforgettably tuneful, percussive, insightful, oblique, transparent and mysterious. With the release of Dusk (Palmetto Records), his first album in ten years, Hill reaches another peak, equaling high points of composition and collaboration he achieved in the 1960s with such innovators as Eric ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Marquis Hill
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Marquis Hill's birthday today!
From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Andrew Hill
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Andrew Hill's birthday today!
Over nearly half a century, composer-pianist-ensemble leader Andrew Hill gained international jazz renown for his uniquely original music and recorded ouevre, which is by turns dark, fragile, funny, stark, unforgettably tuneful, percussive, insightful, oblique, transparent and mysterious. With the release of Dusk (Palmetto Records), his first album in ten years, Hill reaches another peak, equaling high points of composition and collaboration he achieved in the 1960s with such innovators as Eric ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Marquis Hill
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Marquis Hill's birthday today!
From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They ...
read more
Olivia Rox Featuring Warren Hill 'It's Christmastime' - Start Your Holiday Season Now!
Source:
Samuel Cohen
Olivia Rox teams with special guest legendary jazz recording artist Warren Hill on “It's Christmastime" making it a family Christmas indeed, as they happen to be father and daughter! When it comes to talent, the Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Warren Hill has a prominent and impressive career thus far, including thirteen CD’s, millions of sales worldwide, numerous #1 albums and singles, awards, and touring Worldwide in over 25 countries. Hill also broke barriers with collaborations that garnered ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Andrew Hill
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Andrew Hill's birthday today!
Over nearly half a century, composer-pianist-ensemble leader Andrew Hill gained international jazz renown for his uniquely original music and recorded ouevre, which is by turns dark, fragile, funny, stark, unforgettably tuneful, percussive, insightful, oblique, transparent and mysterious. With the release of Dusk (Palmetto Records), his first album in ten years, Hill reaches another peak, equaling high points of composition and collaboration he achieved in the 1960s with such innovators as Eric ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Marquis Hill
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Marquis Hill's birthday today!
From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Andrew Hill
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Andrew Hill's birthday today!
Over nearly half a century, composer-pianist-ensemble leader Andrew Hill gained international jazz renown for his uniquely original music and recorded ouevre, which is by turns dark, fragile, funny, stark, unforgettably tuneful, percussive, insightful, oblique, transparent and mysterious. With the release of Dusk (Palmetto Records), his first album in ten years, Hill reaches another peak, equaling high points of composition and collaboration he achieved in the 1960s with such innovators as Eric ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Marquis Hill
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Marquis Hill's birthday today!
From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They ...
read more
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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
Down Home
Malaco Records
1982
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Sam Cooke
vocals
Percy Mayfield
vocals
Little Milton
guitar, electric
Johnnie Taylor
vocals
Otis Clay
vocals
Z.Z. Hill
Instrument: Vocals
Born: September 30, 1935
Died: 1984
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