Judith Hill: Why Just About Everyone Is Falling for Her

Categories: Live in L.A.

Judith-Hill-18-800px-1.jpg
Dailey Pike
Judith Hill In The Studio
Before she was picked to sing back-up for Michael Jackson's ill-fated 2009 London shows, Judith Hill was a relatively unknown perfomer from Pasadena.

When Hill appeared near the end of Jackson's memorial service to lead the stage in singing "Heal The World," most of the Staples Center audience didn't know who she was, and her name wasn't listed in the program. A flurry of Google searches in the next 24 hours followed, and she was on her way to being discovered. This Is It shows Hill singing "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with Jackson at their very first rehearsal together, with the show's dancers and supporting cast giggling in delight as Jackson is inspired to sing out for the first time.

Since then Hill has received a multitude of offers to collaborate with top musicians and producers, including Randy Jackson and Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, who recently tweeted that Hill was the "real deal." Hill credits Stewart with pointing her to opportunities in fashion, branding and other areas beyond just music she's been focusing on much of the past two years.

Hill's voice is distinctive, soulful and has an earthy quality that makes it unique. She moves easily from R&B to funk to hip-hop to jazz to gospel. Her first regular gig after graduating from Biola University in 2005 was as the featured vocalist with sax and flute wizard Katisse Buckingham, a musician with nearly as wide musical influences.

Judith performed with the Jackson family at a recent tribute in Tokyo, and is currently touring with Stevie Wonder, who sought Hill out. Rolling Stone has featured her twice, and she's done dozens of TV, radio, and red carpet appearances.

Fortune shined on Hill again when filmmaker Spike Lee caught her at an impromptu Jackson tribute last year at Hollywood's W Hotel. Lee immediately approached Hill and asked if she might be willing to contribute songs to Red Hook Summer, the new movie he was working on that just debuted at the Sundance Festival.


Location Info

Venue

Map

Key Club

9039 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA

Category: Music

0 user reviews
Write A Review
Save to foursquare
Powered by Voice Places
My Voice Nation Help
1 comments
Tom Meek
Tom Meek

Congrats to Judith Hill and her band for a high-energy performance in front of a packed Key Club last night, and kudos to Spike Lee for being there to introduce her and show love and respect to musicians as his own greatest artists.

Now Trending

From the Vault

 

Los Angeles Event Tickets
©2013 LA Weekly, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Los Angeles

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city