What I Do
I’ve been performing as a singer, piano player and guitarist for 50 years. When this pandemic slows down I will do it some more. It’s what I do, and I love it. In the meantime, I’m showing students everything I know via Zoom lessons, making new music in my home studio, and doing overdubs and mixing for others.
In normal times I play shows and record with my band, as a solo act, and with my songwriting, award-winning wife, Whit Hill. Some other things I've done:
2018-2020 - Toured with country-rock royalty Carlene Carter.
2017 - Winner of “Best Solo Act" & "Best Solo Guitarist" at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Competition in Memphis.
2002-2018 - Music Director for multiple Grammy nominee Bettye Lavette.
2005 - Voted “Outstanding Blues Artist” at Detroit’s Motor City Music Awards.
2000-2003 - Band leader for Detroit blues legend Johnnie Bassett, also touring with Detroit’s Queen of the Blues, Alberta Adams.
2000 - With my band the Love Butlers, won the “Best Unsigned Band” competition held at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago.
1998 - Released my debut recording “Willie Mae”.
Interested in a lesson?
I’ve been a professional musician, touring nationally and internationally all my life. But there is another side to what I do. For over 30 years I’ve been teaching piano and guitar to hundreds of students, ages 5 to adult. Recently I’ve transitioned my students to Zoom and Skype lessons and it’s working well. My touring is on hold but the upside is I’m now able to add students to my schedule.
I’m probably best known as blues/jazz/roots-rock guy but I enjoy teaching all styles (pop, TV/film music, video game themes) and can turn anything into a lesson. I’m patient with beginners, and have found I can help anyone improve on their instrument. I sometimes use lessons books, but often create personalized lessons for each student using a combination of notation, transcriptions, video and playing by ear. Students can also access my youtube video lessons.
For references click here or the Lessons tab above.
Interested? Let’s chat. Email at al@alhillblues.com.
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