The Champian Fulton Trio
Celebrating Charlie Parker
Birdland, NYC, August 13, 2021
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg
Last year (2020) was the centennial of the birth of jazz icon Charlie “Bird” Parker. Unfortunately, due to the shutdown most of the celebrations of his life and works were cancelled. So, it is fitting that his 101st birthday be celebrated at the jazz club that bears his name. The delightful jazz pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton, with bassist Hide Tanaka and drummer Fukushi Tainaka, offered five sets over the weekend to celebrate “Bird,” an artist she was introduced to by her musician father literally the moment she was born.
The program was a mix of compositions performed, recorded, and/or written by Parker. Some numbers were presented as pure instrumentals, while others included vocal choruses by Fulton, performed with a great deal of good cheer with an arresting if imprecise voice. Some of the material was presented in a contrasting fashion from the usual interpretation of the lyrics, such as a lively and humorous “I Cried for You” (which also gave Tanaka a chance for a dazzling bass solo). “Baubles, Bangles and Beads” was also delivered in an upbeat swinging version with riffs by all three musicians. On the other hand, “This Is Always” was given an effective crooning-style delivery by Champian, taking it so slow and easy.
A variety of jazz styles was explored during the evening, including bebop (Parker’s own “Quasimodo”) and blues (Oscar Peterson’s “Blue Etude”). And coming from a very unlikely source (The Marx Brothers’ A Day at the Races), “All God’s Children Got Rhythm” provided the opportunity for Tainaka to take sheer pleasure in his wild, high-octane drum solo. In fact, all three musicians seemed to be having great fun throughout the set, including the audience in their pleasure and making the show a delightful event.
