By Kevin Greer
Lakeside Communications Manager
To say Michael Jackson and Prince are two of the biggest pop music icons of all time is an understatement. The list of vocalists who had the opportunity to work closely with both is short.
Judith Hill is on that list.
Not long after earning her degree in music composition from Biola University, Hill was selected as Michael Jackson’s duet partner for “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.” She also appeared prominently in his “This Is It” tour and the documentary of the same name.
After Jackson’s death in June 2009, Hill and the rest of the “This Is It” cast performed at his public memorial service, where she sang the lead vocals on “Heal the World” on a star-studded stage that included Jackson family members, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Smokey Robinson.
She later worked closely with Prince, who produced her 2015 debut album, Back in Time, making her one of the relatively few singers to have collaborated with both artists.
The acclaimed singer, songwriter, arranger and multi-instrumentalist brings her dynamic artistry to Lakeside for the first time, performing at Hoover Auditorium on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Hill composed the soundtrack for Spike Lee’s film “Red Hook Summer.” Her performance and studio credits span an extraordinary range of artists, including Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Josh Groban, Barry Manilow, Gregg Allman, Hozier, Incubus, George Benson, Jennifer Hudson and Eric Clapton.
Hill recently discussed Jackson, Prince, her parents’ influence and her musical journey with the Lakesider newspaper.
When did you know you had a talented voice?
Hill: I think it was a gradual process of just doing it. It was a way of life. Once I hit junior high, I really knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I was deeply passionate about singing and making music and felt like it was my calling.
Both of your parents are musicians. How much influence did they have on you?
Hill: I grew up with musicians all around this house, and I started writing and recording when I was a little girl. My parents played a big role in introducing me to music early on.
You started writing at a young age. What type of songs did you write?
Hill: It was a combination of gospel music and some rhythm and blues. My first song was a gospel song, “God is Made.” I was 4 years old.
How old were you when you performed a solo in front of a crowd for the first time?
Hill: I grew up in church, so that was probably my earliest experience being in the kids’ choir. I did a lot of session singing in Los Angeles, so when I was a kid, I did some TV stuff. I guess that was one of my first professional experiences. In my early teens, I was in a choral group during a holiday show. We were singing behind Usher.
Talk about your experiences with Prince and Michael Jackson.
Hill: I was in the jazz community in L.A., and one of my friends casually mentioned that I should go try out for Michael because he was doing a big tour. I auditioned and got the gig. It was unexpected because I was so young and I didn’t have any accolades. I was brand new and straight out of college. That was a pretty wild way to get started. He chose me to be his duet partner for his last tour.
With Prince, it was a little different. At that point, I had done a lot of singing with Stevie Wonder and I was on “The Voice.” I was doing some press runs at the time, and they asked me, “What would be my dream collaboration?” I said, “I’m a big Prince fan.” I never thought in a million years that that would be a reality. Apparently, he saw that interview and invited me to come work with him. He produced my album, so it was more of a collaboration.
Did either of them give you advice that still stays with you?
Hill: I was very close to Prince. I didn’t know Michael that well, because it was just showing up at rehearsal, and it was a big crew. Prince was like a mentor to me. He was the perfect example of somebody who created his own reality, built his own dynasty of music and was in charge of that vision. The biggest takeaway I got from him is how to be your own leader and build something that you’re in control of.
You also worked with an impressive group of artists from different genres. Do you like mixing things up and working with different types of musicians?
Hill: I love collaborating with other people. Every experience is unique because we’re all unique human beings, and no artist is the same. That’s just the nature of music; it’s very collaborative. All of us work together all the time, as much as possible, and that’s what makes it like a community, no matter the level of the artist.
I’ve been fortunate to work with artists who were big decades back and still are today. Now we’re in a time when music is different, and there are a lot of really talented people everywhere. It’s not so much just one elite class. There are a lot of people who are amazing.
Is there somebody you haven’t collaborated with that you’d like an opportunity to work with?
Hill: It’s hard to answer because there are so many incredible artists out there that I’m a fan of. I love Jazmine Sullivan, Marcus King and Cory Henry. Some of them are my friends, and they’re incredible. Those collaborations would be amazing.
When you’re in your car, what are you listening to?
Hill: It depends. If I’m in the zone for writing music, I’m listening to deep blues or funk cuts. If I’m trying to be on my own time, relax and not think about anything musically, I listen to Brazilian music. I love bossa nova. If I need to find myself in a meditative space and really relax, I’ll listen to classical music.
When was the moment when you were ready to start a solo career?
Hill: That was the beginning of everything. As a kid, I wrote my own music and put together demos, then I would perform them with the band. That was the original passion and vision, and I’m lucky to be able to continue doing that.
Along the way, I was a background singer for these massive artists, so I think a lot of people think I started doing background singing first, but it was the opposite. I was always singing and performing my own music. At heart, all of us artists are always doing that. We might get background singing opportunities, which is great, but they kind of work side by side.
When did you feel like you had your breakthrough?
Hill: I really don’t think I did. I feel like I’ve had these incredible chapters that were so amazing. Some of it was a bit premature for me, because I was thrown into the public eye early and really in tragic ways. When Michael passed, that was a very traumatic experience.
My journey has been all about picking up the pieces and continuing, finding myself in another situation that’s unique and another adventure. It’s been cumulative. I’ve done very different things, and people know me for different reasons. It’s never been one particular moment. I just keep following my path, and I find new fans and meet new people.
What can Lakesiders expect when you take the Hoover stage?
Hill: I’m going to bring music from all chapters of my records. It’s a very emotional journey. It’s a high-energy show with a mixture of funk, soul and blues. Sometimes I’ll throw in covers, but it’s mostly my stuff. It’s a family affair, too. My parents are playing with me. It’s a special experience where you get that family dynamic. It’s always a lot of fun.
What do you hope the audience leaves with after your show?
Hill: Inspired and encouraged. I feel like my music is all about pressing through challenges, overcoming them and celebrating life. I love to bring that message to people.
