Anne Hills in concert

"Among the cognoscenti of the Chicago folk scene....beautifully honest soprano Anne Hills [is] the diva of record” BOSTON GLOBE "A stunning soprano tone...one of contemporary music’s premiere vocalists... Her knack for writing heartfelt songs [has] brought her to the upper echelon of her craft.” ALL MUSIC GUIDE Michael Smith: "The greatest songwriter in the English language” ROLLING STONE Hills’ celebrated voice will soar on her newest collection of songs by the late Michael Smith who, like Hills, emerged as a musical force in the fertile, early 1970s Chicago folk scene. Hills and Smith’s deep musical synergy brought them – songwriter and soprano - together onstage and into the recording studio until Smith’s death in 2020. One of the most original and celebrated voices of the contemporary folk music world, ANNE HILLS takes the stage with a poet’s evocative palette, a singer’s love of melody and an utterly charming stage presence. Her robustly beautiful soprano and fine songwriting continue to win new and ardent fans. Widely known for her collaboration with singer-songwriter Michael Smith (“The Dutchman”); she gained recognition in Chicago’s thriving music scene and soon nationally for her clear soprano and remarkable interpretive ability. Hills’ other collaborators have included Tom Paxton, with whom she won a WHAMMIE, and Priscilla Herdman & Cindy Mangsen (TRIO), always a sellout concert here at 8th Step. She appears on major compilations alongside Bruce Springsteen, Ani DiFranco, Indigo Girls, Pete Seeger, Jackson Brown, Bonnie Raitt and The Roches. Her song “Follow That Road” is the title cut on yet another compilation spearheaded by Christine Lavin. Her latest major award is a Woodstock Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. Hills' newest album "Every Town" is her second recording of work written by Michael Smith, and the recording brings together another stellar cast of musicians including Steve Gillette, John Gorka, John Sebastian, Scott Petito, and jazz drummer Peter Erskine. Featured are more songs from Smith's incredible catalog, among them "Spoon River," "Memory of August," "We Became Birds," "Portland Fancy" and "What's the Sea Done to the Sailor?" Hills was born in Moradabad, India, the third daughter of educational missionaries. Raised in Michigan, she attended Interlochen Arts Academy where she formed her first folk trio. She was also the female vocalist with the Big Band that turned out future jazz greats Peter Erskine, Bob Minter and Chris Brubeck. She moved to Chicago’s fertile folk scene in 1976 and co-founded the folklore center Hogeye Music, still a force in the Chicago music scene today. Whether singing her own songs, those of Smith or other collaborators, the words of six-year-old Opal Whitely, or her song settings of the Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley; whether accompanied by her guitar, banjo or simply a Tibetan bell, ANNE HILLS puts her whole heart and soul into the moment, for a breathtaking evening!

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3576030-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3576030-2

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