At Paisley Park, Prince previews new project by his protege Judith Hill
An up-and-coming vocalist who told a television interviewer that she dreamed of working with Prince is seeing that dream come true.
According to the Star Tribune, Prince introduced singer Judith Hill to invited guests at Paisley Park in Chanhassen on Sunday night.
Prince produced a new album for Hill called "Back in Time." He invited representatives from Fox 9, City Pages, 89.3 the Current and the Star Tribune to preview it.
Hill and her six-man band later played for about 100 Prince fans who had been invited to Paisley Park for an impromptu concert.
A profile of Hill in USA Today notes the vocalist is the daughter of professional musicians, and wrote her first song at age 4. She went on to become a sought-after background singer, working with stars including Rod Stewart, Josh Grobin, Stevie Wonder and Elton John. She was featured in the Academy Award winning documentary “20 Feet From Stardom,” a documentary about backup singers.
Here's her track "Desperation" from that film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZljeW3qVBA
She was also featured on NBC's singing competition show "The Voice” and appeared in the Michael Jackson movie “This Is It” as a backup singer in rehearsal for his upcoming tour. The Daily Mail said she also sang at Jackson's memorial service.
After the first number was blasted over Paisley Park's giant speakers in the studio control room, Prince piped up: “Ask your questions now. She’s going to be a superstar and you won’t be able to talk to her,” the Star Tribune reports.
Prince reportedly learned about Hill when he saw a video clip of her being interviewed on a European TV show and she mentioned that she’d like to work with him. She has also mentioned a desire to collaborate with him in an interview in Rolling Stone.
The Star Tribune's story said that Prince tracked her down and invited her to an event in Los Angeles. Prince asked Hill what kind of music she wanted to make. Her reply? “Sly and the Family Stone.”
Prince, who has long cited Sly as a musical influence, said, “That’s all I needed to know," the paper reports.