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Christine Hitt

CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED JAZZ PIANIST, VOCALIST, AND EDUCATOR

About Me

Vocalist and pianist Christine Hitt is a native of Two Harbors, MN where she studied music with both her mother and her father. After completing her MM in piano performance at the University of Arizona, Hitt spent several years as a member of the USAF Band touring the U.S., Central and South America She went on to record and work for the MAXJAZZ record label while establishing herself on the St. Louis jazz scene. During that time Christine recorded and performed with Ugonna Okegwo, Bruce Barth, Montez Coleman, Peter Mayer, and Tom Kennedy.

As a pop vocalist, Christine has recorded jingles for Maxwell House, John Deere, Anheuser Busch, Circle K and Ramada Inn. As a keyboardist, she has backed Marylin McCoo, Clay Aiken, the Broadway cast of the Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera lead Gary Mauer, Sylvia McNair, Darius Rucker and has been a member of one of Modern Bride's top wedding bands The Confidentials.

Her solo CD MXJ107 You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To features Jeff Hamilton, Todd Strait, and Tom Kennedy. This project received international distribution and airplay and can be heard on music streaming services for Sirius XM, Direct TV, Nordstroms, Gap, Olive Garden and American Airlines.

Passionate about music education, Hitt has taught at 6 universities and is active as a clinician and guest artist. Her students were selected to perform at the 24th, 27th and 35th annual IAJE Conventions. Christine's private vocal jazz students include a high school jazz vocal downbeat award winner, members of the London Contemporary Voices and the USAF Singing Sergeants. Internationally known jazz vocalist Erin Bode got her start with Christine at Webster University in St. Louis.

Other jazz artists she has performed with include: Brad Leali, Dave Mooney, Quincy Davis, Hubert Laws, Slide Hampton, Steve Smith, Nick Brignola and Curtis Fuller. Hitt's arrangements have been performed at the Iowa Jazz Championships. Eau Claire Jazz Festival and can be heard on the following CDs: Sony BMG Blue Mood 3, Susie Thorne Blue Skies Clear Day, Tom Kennedy- Capri Records Just Play, MXJ301 Holiday CD and MXJ107 You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To.

Her upcoming CD release Magical Kite was recorded at Capitol Records and features John Beasley, Jeff Hamilton, Gene Coye, Leo Amuedo and Bob Sheppard. The project was produced by Geoffrey Keezer.

Hitt earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Minnesota and her Master of Music from the University of Arizona. Christine currently coaches jazz pianists and vocalists at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.