In her liner notes for her latest release entitled Lucky All Along, the acclaimed pianist/composer/band leader Lisa Hilton shares that the music is “Inspired by the history of cool jazz as well as the art of Impressionism.” Instead of paint, her compositional tools include “different harmonic palettes and rhythmic textures such as blues, swing, improvisation, free jazz, polyrhythms, bop, ragtime, early rock, the Latin tinge and traditional riffs.” Hilton hails from California, where many cool jazz creators previously lived for a period, including Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, as well as pianist Bill Evans. These “cool” and very expressive artists favored a moody style of playing with innovative harmonic explorations versus the more energetic “hot”, or free jazz styles. Percolating with ideas, the nine original compositions and three cover tunes are intimate, enthralling, and laced throughout with rich blue tones, swinging with Hilton’s expressive touch on the piano. Lucky All Along gracefully shares the spotlight with quartet mates Igmar Thomas on trumpet, Luques Curtis on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums and percussion.