The Poetry & Lyrics of Paula Hackett
Paula Hackett's poetry is influenced by her life experiences growing up in Berkeley during the vibrant and explosive 60's. The daughter of novelist Paul Hackett, she studied under John Beecher, Angela Davis and Grover Sales. She has written lyrics in collaboration with her brother John Hackett, for many great jazz composers including Teddy Edwards, John Handy, Ivan Lins, Joe Sample, Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson, and Cedar Walton. Her life long love of jazz is reflected in her many poems about musicians and in her CDs with pianists Rudi Wongozi and Connie Crothers. Her discography is represented in the images and links below.
Click thumbnails below for song previews.
"Jazz is responded to by many different kinds of artists. And the best responses have value in individual expression, as much as the music does, Paula Hackett is an example of that individual quality of response." Stanley Crouch
Discography
Paula Hackett & Connie Crothers: Sharing The Thrill (New Artist) / Paula Hackett & Rudi Wongozi: Roulette / Diane Witherspoon: You May Never Know (Koch International) music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett, except Song For A Holy Land, lyrics by John Hackett, Paula Hackett, and Cedar Walton. Produced by Cedar Walton, John and Paula Hackett / Diane Witherspoon: L.A. After Dark (Summit Records) Lyrics by John and Paula Hackett, Produced by John and Paula Hackett: Composers include: Teddy Edwards, Tyrone Brown, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Eddie Marshall & Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson / Rare Beauty (Koch International) Don't You Know I Care Music by Duke Ellington, Solo Alto Saxophone by John Handy, Produced by John and Paula Hackett / It's Kind Of Lonesome Out Tonight Music by Duke Ellington: Vocal, Diane Witherspoon: Piano, Rudi Wongozi, Produced by John and Paula Hackett / Denise Donatelli When Lights Are Low / (Savoy) (Grammy Nominated 2011) Enchantment: music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John & Paula Hackett / Kendra Shank Life's Mosaic (Challenge Records) Mosaic, music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / Judy Niemack Blue Bop (Freelance Records) Journey To Bolivia: music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / Diane Witherspoon Thanking You (Tonal Gravity Records) Our Night Of Love: music by Teddy Edwards, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / Moments: music by Eddie Marshall, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / Love's Disguise: music by Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / Vanessa Rubin - Pastiche (Novus/RCA Records) Life's Mosaic: music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / When Love Is New: music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett/ Kevin Mahogany Songs and Moments (Enga Records) Nightflight: music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / Carmen Bradford With Respect (Evidence Records) Even Steven, Music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / Phyllis Battle - Nightflight (USA Music Group) Nightflight: music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / Sandy Patton, Bolivia (BFG Enterprises) Journey To Bolivia: music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / T.S. Monk Band - Higher Ground (Sin-Drome Records) Mosaic: music by Cedar Walton, lyrics by John and Paula Hackett / John and Paula have also written lyrics for the music of: John Handy, Kenny Barron,Bill Bell Joe Sample, Lester Higgins and Ivan Lins.