Bio
Al Hill is an award-winning singer and piano/guitar player whose songs span roots-rock, blues and jazz. Al was winner of Best Solo Act and Best Solo Guitarist awards at the 2017 Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. As music director for multiple Grammy nominee Bettye LaVette, Al performed throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Japan and Australia. Bettye and Al appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Austin City Limits. For the past five years he toured with country music royalty Carlene Carter.
Al's most recent release is "Big Valley Girl", a collaboration with long-time pal and partner Brophy Dale. The disc dips into the R&B sounds they made while tearing up the Michigan scene in the '80s, and is dedicated to a good friend they recently lost.
Al’s debut recording “Willie Mae” blended roots-rock and soul and was voted “Best CD” at the Motor Cities Blues Awards in 1999. Al and his band won the “Best Unsigned Band” competition, held at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago in 2000, and Al was voted “Outstanding Blues Artist” at the Motor City Music Awards in 2005. In 2008 Al was inspired to move south, and now calls Nashville home.
Al often performs with his wife, singer-songwriter and author Whit Hill, releasing four records and placing songs in TV and film.
Other artists Al has worked with include Charles "Wigg" Walker, Johnny Johnson, Tracy Nelson, Detroit blues luminaries Johnnie Bassett, Alberta Adams and Sir Mack Rice, Delbert McClinton, T. Graham Brown, Tracy Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Mike Farris, Lazy Lester, Marva Wright, Kermit Ruffins and Sleepy LaBeef.
