Exclusive: Listen to Award-Winning Jazz Singer Kristine Mills’ New Single Here

Exclusive: Listen to Award-Winning Jazz Singer Kristine Mills’ New Single Here

AWARD-WINNING, HOUSTON-BASED jazz singer Kristine Mills has just announced the premiere of two new singles, "Hold Fast" and "Dip My Toe In Water," from her upcoming album, scheduled to be released this November — and you can get your first listen to "Hold Fast" exclusively at CityBook here:


While "Hold Fast" was written in honor of her new husband, "Dip My Toe In the Water" was written amidst the ending of a long marriage. She'll perform both of the new tunes, which will be available for purchase and for streaming on Spotify on July 16, at a show this Thursday from 6-9pm at Warehouse 72.

Both songs hold true to the infectiously jazzy and bossa nova-tinged sound that has propelled Mills into headliner gigs at events like the Brazilian International Jazz Festival and allowed her to play sold-out shows in theaters and performing arts centers around the world — from Houston to Sao Paolo.

They're a sneak peek of the upcoming full-length album Looking Back. Moving Forward, offering reflections on Kristine's decades-long career as a performer and songwriter; it pulls from older works that were never released, along with other favorite tracks that have been remixed. Looking Back also features collaborations with younger artists and ones who perform in other genres.

"This album is the retrospective of my songwriting career," says Mills. "It encompasses songs written at different times in my life, but they share universal truths about love, life and death that we all can relate to."

The songs from the new album will be released in pairs based on when and where they were recorded. "The HOUSTON Sessions," the first set of songs that will be released, were co-produced by award-winning composer and jazz artist Gabriel Santiago, who has collaborated with renowned artists like Esperanza Spalding, Christ Potter and Stefon Harris, and was recorded in Houston before being mixed and mastered in Brazil.

Additional songs were recorded in Austin and New York and will be released in the upcoming months. They will include contributions by well known musicians like Grammy-nominated songwriter Jeff Franzel; writer and producer Askold Buk; Steve Williams, Sade's touring drummer; Paul Frasier, Dave Byrne's touring bassist; and cellist Dave Eggar, among others.

General seating tickets for Mills' Warehouse 72 show are $15, and VIP tickets are $20. For reservations and ticket information, click here.

Art + Entertainment
As Escape Spa Expands in 2025, Owner Has Advice on Personal Growth: ‘Focus on Intention Setting’

CHANGE IS A good thing, and with the start of a new year, I always like to reflect on how far I've come and start fresh by setting self-care goals for the coming months. Personal growth is a passion for me, and also something I enjoy. Guiding a business through growth and change is also one of my passions, so I am very pleased to announce that Escape Spa is going to be expanding in 2025! We’re honored that we’ve built such a loyal following since opening in Cypress in July of 2022, and we’re thrilled to be in a position to grow our wellness and recovery sanctuary just outside of Houston.

Keep Reading Show less

Late photographer Jhane Hoang (center) and some of her subjects, including fashion models and musicians

WHEN JHANE HOANG died late last month after a quiet, private battle with cancer, Houston lost one of its most talented and exacting photographers — and my colleagues at CityBook and I lost a beloved contributor and friend.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

John Bryan, Mary Jon Bryan, Billy Bob Thornton, J.P. Bryan

MORE THAN 500 guests gathered in Galveston for the Bryan Museum Gala, an evening that celebrated both the 10th anniversary of the museum and some of the most influential names in Texas oil and gas. Titled the Wildcatters Gala, the event honored Ernie H. Cockrell, Mary Ralph Lowe, Trevor Rees-Jones and the families of Eddy C. Scurlock and R.E. “Bob” Smith — all recognized for their legacy of leadership and philanthropy in the industry.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties