H. Allen Williams writes in Jazz Times.com, August, 2012, “Hines is the epitome of what is great about jazz, her ability to create edgy jazz instrumentals in one cut, then turn on a dime and bring forth the most inspiring rendition of an arrangement of a classic standard, not to mention her ability to write complex but listenable melodies for vocalists is truly the cornerstone of her appeal as a composer and pianist. Hines is one of those jazz artists I predict will remain a household name long after she leaves this journey for her next adventure, her impact on jazz is permanent, but continues to inspire listeners, like a welcomed friend you look forward to seeing. She is a composer you have to drink in and savor to truly absorb the entire message. One listen will not give you the story or pinpoint the answer, she is an artist you have to spend time listening to her discography to hear the theme to her message and once you do, it will be time well spent and you will come out the other !
end with a satisfying experience, thankfully you can revisit over and over again through her recordings.” Always branching out to new and exciting performances in June, 2012, Hines was part of the Berklee Percussion Festival with Akili Jamal Haynes and Ed Nixon.
Hines’ 2011 release, Lucky’s Boy, presented nine originals with lyrics and featured vocalist April Hall, John Lockwood on bass and Les Harris, Jr. on drums. Two of her tunes were featured on NECN-TV- Boston’s Morning Show in May, 2012. In addition Lucky’s Boy spent 7 weeks on the CMJ national jazz charts peaking at #10 overall.
Wilbert Sostre said in Jazz Times (Dec 2011), “... she has the ability to compose interesting and complex jazz instrumentals... she is just as good as a songwriter... Hines piano playing all throughout is as always sharp, poetic and refined...The exquisite, soulful vocals of April Hall deliver every lyric with emotion and conviction.”
This jazz piano lady is never afraid to up her game and push the envelope, and she continues to do so without losing her footing or her grip. Adding a vocalist to her program of all originals, her touch, tone, style and taste continue to amaze and engross. Playing with the abandon that comes with really being in the music as opposed to merely into the music, this is a jazzbo dream date that turns your headphones into the club you’d like to hang out at every night, top shelf piano jazz once again from one of the contemporary leading lights of the genre. Hot stuff,” said Chris Spector, Midwest Record, Sep, 2011.
Hines led a trio of Bob Simonelli and Kenny Hadley for a live broadcast, produced by Joe Zupan, on WICN, Worcester, MA in December, 2011. Performing holiday/standards music with the trio were Grace Kelly, Giacomo Gates, Greg Abate, Amanda Carr, Suzanne Cabot and Dan Moretti among many other jazz artists. Now, Hines hosts a monthly show on WICN entitled “Live Jazz New England” hosted in WICN’s performance studio.
Moon Germs, released in 2010, with Lockwood (b) , Bob Gullotti (d), Greg Dudzienski (ts) and Darren Barrett (t) is a riveting and eclectic mix of driving tempos and romps into free jazz explorations. It was on the national radio jazz charts for 8 weeks, reached #2 on CMJ national jazz charts and #26 on Jazzweek charts. Ed Love of WDET (Detroit) listed Moon Germs as one of the top albums of 2010.
In the October, 2010 issue of Jazz Times, Sostre wrote, “Hines’ great technique and intuitive playing shows from the first track. ... Hines is also a great composer... “Itchy” is a good example of Hines’ compositional talent, with interesting, constant tempo changes between bebop and a more funky groove. “Variations on Invitation” is another interesting Hines original with piano playing reminiscent harmonically and in the use of space to the master Thelonious Monk. Hines is just as good playing ballads like Mercer’s “Fool Rush In” and Pamela’s own, “Lavender and Complications.” Her piano style in these slow pieces is more minimalist, making every note count. On “Moon Germs,” the CD title track, Hines shows her versatility in an almost avant-garde arrangement.”
Chris Spector says, “...on the opening track where she turns in a swinging version of “Let’s Fall in Love” ... you almost won’t recognize and may forget what it is a few times before it runs its course. This time around, she’s showing us that swing is the thing as this hot, upbeat set showcases some splendid originals as well as opening things up in new ways on established ballads and funk tunes. Sure handed fun stuff as always but not just another entry in her canon, Hines seems to not know how to play at any less than the top of her game. Hot stuff.” Moon Germs continued to do well far into 2011; it graced several of the top-ten station charts in the United States and still continues to receive a healthy amount of recurrent play.
Her 2009 release, This Heart of Mine, was a solo project that offered the listener an opportunity to hear Hines in a organic solo setting, truly exhibiting her prowess on the ivories. Susan Frances said in the November, 2009, issue of Jazz Times, “... Hines exhibits an intuitive nature .. her sequences are embroiling, and at other moments they exhibit a serenity... She travels through a gamut of musical ideas that honor the giants in jazz...Artists often say that they play with passion and it shows with Hines. She wears that passion on her sleeves as her notes depict what she is going through like an autobiography set to music. This Heart Of Mine bares pieces of Hines’ soul even as she covers other artists works making their material a reflection of herself.” Her trio has been the “Pick-of-the Week” and “Jazz-Pick” for the Boston Globe. An original holiday themed CD in 2008 brought her a live appearance on Fox-25, Boston. Performing for that broadcast were Patrice Williamson (v), Tal Shalom-Kobi (b) and Miki Matsuki (d). Hines’ interesting compositions and harmonies earned her a guest appearance on the Peabody Award winning show, Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland on National Public Radio in 2000.
For three decades Hines has performed in clubs, concerts and festivals in New York, Boston and nationally. Hines continues to maintain a busy performance schedule. In 1998, Hines released her debut CD, 9-45 (Brownstone), the offering was met with immediate critical acclaim. Pamela Trainor Hines grew up in Acton, Massachusetts and received her MM from New England Conservatory in 1998 with honors. She also has degrees from Boston University (on a full scholarship for basketball) and Old Dominion University. Hines married fusion bassist David Hines in 1995 and their family resides in the metro-west Boston area.
