Champian Fulton: House Party

TURTLE BAY RECORDS (RELEASED APRIL 10, 2026)

During her piano solo on Gus Arheim and Arthur Freed’s “I Cried for You,” Champian Fulton inserts a short musical quote from Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Field’s “Exactly Like You.” The lyrics to that melodic line might very well define Fulton’s emotional state during the recording of House Party — Why am I so happy? The reasons for her happiness are obvious. First, House Party was made surrounded by friends on her 40^th birthday. Second, it was recorded at an informal jam session in the home of Turtle Bay Records’ producer Scott Asen. Lastly, Fulton was accompanied by longtime musical partners Hide Tanaka on bass and Fukushi Tainaka on drums, plus guest appearances from saxophonists Cory Weeds and Karl Lindquist. You can sense the happiness in Fulton’s coy vocals as well as her flowing and percussive Erroll Garner-infused solos. Like Shirley Horn, Fulton is her own best accompanist. The “party” begins with a swinging version of Isham Jones and Gus Kahn’s “The One I Love,” a tune Fulton recorded in 2010 and still brings her much joy. A piano/vocal opening leads to an up-tempo romp through “I Cried for You,” on which Tanaka gets an opportunity to display his arco solo skills. Alto player Karl Lindquist and Fulton open Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust” before the rest of the band joins in, providing a perfect setting for Lindquist’s heartfelt solo. Fulton takes a break from the vocals to lead Tanaka and Tainaka through Wayne Shorter’s “One by One.” The tricky rhythm changes on Cole Porter’s “Get Out of Town” are no challenge for Weeds’ sax, Fulton’s vocals or the trio. Lindquist joins the party on “Billie’s Bounce” as he and Weeds exchanges choruses, fours and notes! The entire group wraps things up with “Carry Me Back to Old Manhattan,” a tune originally recorded in 1953 by Mabel Mercer. It sounds like this informal session brought much happiness to Fulton, the musicians and the small audience in attendance. Even if you weren’t at the party, House Party will bring fans of mainstream vocal jazz much
happiness as well.

BOTTOM LINE: Pianist/vocalist Champian Fulton celebrated her 40^th birthday in much the same way she has been celebrating birthdays since age 17 — giving familiar songs new life with her ability to sing, swing and serenade. Joined in an informal jam session by her working trio as well as saxophonists Cory Weeds and Karl Lindquist, Fulton celebrates with four standards, a Wayne Shorter and Charlie Parker tune as well as a classic from Mabel Mercer.