Champian Fulton & Klas Lindquist: At Home

TURTLE BAY RECORDS (RELEASED MAY 2, 2025)

At Home is an apt title for the debut release from the duo of vocalist/pianist Champian Fulton and clarinetist/alto saxophonist Klas Lindquist. Afterall, this intimate session was recorded in the home of Turtle Bay Records founder Scott Asen. Better yet, Fulton and Lindquist definitely feel at home covering nine evergreens from the 1920s and 1930s and one original. The session begins with Lindquist’s swooping clarinet introduction to Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought of You.” Fulton joins on piano and vocals as Lindquist ornaments the lyrics with well-played and well placed obligatos. Following piano and clarinet solos, Fulton closes out the tune with her straight-forward, yet distinctive vocal style. This musical conversation continues in a similar fashion with Lindquist switching to alto sax for Earl Hines’ “You Can Depend on Me,” “Tea for Two,” Louis Armstrong’s “Someday You’ll Be Sorry,” Blossom Dearie’s “I Was Looking for You” “and “P.S. I Love You.” In the tradition of Shirley Horn, Fulton’s piano playing is perfectly matched to her vocals. At Home also gives us a chance to hear Fulton accompany Lindquist on four instrumental tracks — a Fulton/Lindquist original blues titled “Don’t Do That to Me,” Harry Warren’s “Serenade in Blue,” “Besame Mucho” and Earl Hines’ “My Monday Date.”
At Home is an honest and heartfelt musical conversation between two musicians who welcomed the opportunity to play songs they love in a style they revere and with a level of musicianship they display in the comfort of being at home. Although this is Fulton’s 19th release as a leader and Lindquist’s 40th appearance on recordings. At Home is their first duo collaboration, and let’s hope we can eavesdrop on their next conversation.

BOTTOM LINE: Earl Hines’ “You Can Depend on Me” (featured on this recording) defines At Home. Singer Champian Fulton depends on clarinetist/saxophonist Klas Lindquist to add his perfectly played and placed obligatos to her vocals. At the same time. Linquist depends on Fulton for her sensitive and smart accompaniment on the piano. As a result, you can depend on At Home for an enjoyable musical conversation of evergreens from the 1920s and 1930s and one original.