Sexy Bebopper
About the Author
Screen Name: Champian Fulton
Hometown: New York City
Birthplace: Norman OK
Date of Birth: Sep 12, 1985
Joined jazzwines.com: Dec 10, 2007
My Bio
Born in 1985, Champian grew up in Norman Oklahoma with her two loving parents, Stephen and Susan. Influenced at an early age by her father Stephen, a world reknowned Jazz trumpeter, Champian fell in love with Jazz. Surrounded by her father’s musician friends, which included Clark Terry and Major Holley, Champian learned the language of the music firsthand. She began to study piano with her grandmother at age 5. As singing became more and more important, Champian began to play Jazz piano to accompany herself at home.
Champian’s family moved to LeMars Iowa in 1994; where Stephen Fulton became the director of the Clark Terry Institute for Jazz Studies. It was here that Champian formed her first band. The members of the “Little Jazz Quintet” were all under the age of 10, except for the trumpeter - the elder of the group - who was 12 years old. The “Little Jazz Quintet” performed at many events in LeMars, including Clark Terry’s 75th Birthday party.
After a short move to New York, Champian and her family returned to Norman Oklahoma in 1998. Champian’s full attention turned to Jazz at this time, and by 1999 Champian was performing with her new band all around the region. 1999 included appearances at the Kemah Boardwalk Jazz Festival, the Corpus Christi Jazz Festival, and the Jazz in June Festival held in Norman Oklahoma.
2001 marked the beginning of Champian’s stint at Maker’s Cigar & Piano Bar in OKC. Maker’s, and its owner Clinton Greehaw, were supportive of Champian while she grew musically as a professional performer. Makers made a wonderful musical home for Champian during these formative years. The Champian Fulton Trio would continue to perform at Maker’s nearly every weekend through 2003, when Champian graduated from Norman North High School as valedictorian and made her move to NYC to attend SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory.
In New York City since 2003, Champian has been able to become a part of the Jazz scene. Besides leading her own gigs Champian has been able to play with some world-class musicians such as Louis Hayes, Jimmy Cobb, Frank Wess, and Lou Donaldson. You can catch her at a number of different venues in Manhattan including Birdland, where Champian performs every Tuesday with David Berger & the Sultans of Swing.
A perpetual student of Jazz piano and Jazz singing, Champian mentions Erroll Garner, Bud Powell, Sonny Clark, Count Basie, Dinah Washington, and Sarah Vaughn as some of her main influences.
Champian was named as a finalist in the Kathleen B. Turner Jazz Piano Competition at the University of West Florida in spring 2006. That same year she graduated with honors from SUNY Purchase. Champian’s debut album “Champian” was released in September of 2007. She now lives in New York City and continues to play the music she loves with her current trio including Neil Miner (bass) and Fukushi Tainaka (drums).
Accolades and recognition of great significance to me
One of the “Jazz Rookies of the Year” in the Village Voice, Francis Davis 2007
Finalist in the Kathleen B. Turner Jazz Piano Competition, 2006
Has performed with Lou Donaldson, Frank Wess, Jimmy Cobb, and Louis Hayes among others.
Released debut album “Champian” in fall of 2007 with David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
Event or person significant in developing my talents
When I was born my parents wanted me to know true beauty. While I was still in the womb they would play Charlie Parker’s album with Strings. They played it every day and every night, even after I was born. That record is some of the most beautiful music ever recorded, and I feel that being exposed to that at such an early age has made me into the Jazz musician and person that I am today.
Improvisation & Collaboration
My debut album was released in September of 2007. It was a collaboration between me and David Berger (an excellent bandleader and arranger, and one of the world’s foremost experts on Duke Ellington). We handpicked the tunes, the tempos, etc. We worked on each arrangement together every week until they felt right. I am very proud of the collaboration present on that disc.
I think collaborating with the musicians you perform with on a regular basis is extremely important. The relationships, the interaction between each of you - that is what makes the music special.
I am looking forward to recording my current trio, which includes Neal Miner & Fukushi Tainaka, this spring. Playing with them regularly has proved to be one of the most musical rewarding experiences of my life so far.
Inspiration for my creative process
I find inspiration in my every day life. I hear a song and it makes me think - it connects with me in some way and I wonder, “What could I do with that song?” So I’ll try it out, put my spin on it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But I definitely have to connect with each song I perform. Be it melodically or through the lyrics.
My ideal work partner
I would love to do a record with Dr. Lonnie Smith, the organist. To me he is the most creative musician alive today. He seems to tap into the transcendent in a way that so many other musicians can’t. I think to work with him would be a challenge; it would help me to grow as a musician.
Most memorable wine tasting experience
To me, opening a bottle of beautiful Pinot Noir and sitting around with a few close friends to share a moment together is always special. I look forward to the next time!
Favorite musical experience
I have so many musical experiences that I love and cherish. I think the first time I saw Lou Donaldson perform was a life changing experience. It was on the Floating Jazz Cruise in 2002 and I never felt closer to the music. Every note he played brought me closer to Charlie Parker. I have been fortunate since moving to NYC in 2003 to be able not only to see him perform many times, but to also get to know him as a human being.
Musician or Winemaker I'd enjoy meeting and why
I love to meet all people who share my passion for living and the great American art form Jazz. I feel blessed that everyday, living in New York City, I have the ability to meet so many new people who continue to enrich my life by opening my eyes to new experiences and new perspectives.
(0) Comments
