Champian Fulton has become a mainstay on the NYC jazz scene. Audiences from New York to Barcelona know her for her swinging style and charismatic performances. Recognized as a Rising Jazz Star by the Downbeat Magazine Critic’s Poll, Fulton was also named Pianist and Vocalist of 2019 by Hot House Magazine’s Readers Poll. Fulton last performed at the NCJF in 2020.
Fulton grew up in Oklahoma with music in the home; her mother and father (jazz trumpeter/educator Stephen Fulton) recognized her fascination with music at an early age. Fulton first performed with her own band at musician Clark Terry’s 75th birthday party when she was only 10 years old. A close friend of her father’s, Clark Terry became a mentor to Fulton and taught her the subtleties of performing as well as the business of jazz. Graduating from SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory, she considered herself more a pianist, and her singing as just a fun side activity, but she soon committed herself to both talents. Fulton has added education to her list of talents, teaching at Litchfield Jazz Camp and Rutgers Jazz Institute, fitting all of this in while performing in Canada, Europe, and Asia, as well as some of the favorite Big Apple hotspots like Birdland, Smalls, and Mezzrow.
