Bill Fulton on keys or piano at Monteleone’s West – CLOSED
Gina Eckstine Monteleone Apr 27 1996 refers to the Apr 27, 1996 engagement in Bill Fulton’s performance history.
Gina Eckstine appears in Bill Fulton’s performance history for April 27, 1996 at Monteleone's West. Fulton was listed on piano or keyboards alongside vocalist Gina Eckstine. The date belongs to a series of Southern California engagements involving Eckstine and Fulton.
Gina Eckstine Monteleone Apr 27 1996 — Gina Eckstine and Bill Fulton
Gina Eckstine came from one of American popular music’s notable musical families. Her father, Billy Eckstine, led a pioneering modern-jazz big band and enjoyed a long career as a singer. According to her Gina Eckstine artist biography, she first appeared onstage in her father’s act as a child. Later, she developed her own nightclub performances in California and Las Vegas.
In a later Gina Eckstine interview, Eckstine described learning from her father and pianist Bobby Tucker. She also recalled touring with her father’s show and performing in major Las Vegas hotels. These details offer background on the vocalist, although they do not establish what songs she sang at this particular engagement.
Monteleone's West and the engagement
Monteleone's West operated on Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana. A 1995 Los Angeles Times account of Monteleone’s West described the restaurant as a sophisticated supper club with live singers and a classic-pop atmosphere. Another Los Angeles Times guide to Valley music rooms placed the club among the San Fernando Valley’s established music rooms. That contemporary coverage provides unusually strong context for the 1996 engagement.
The club’s dining-room setting attracted listeners interested in vocal music, standards, and intimate entertainment. However, published descriptions of the venue do not confirm the repertoire, attendance, or musicians on this specific date. The original listing remains the authority for Fulton’s involvement.
Original performance details and historical context
The original notes state: With Gina Eckstine
Gina Eckstine also connects this date to a larger career story. A Los Angeles Times profile of Billy Eckstine describes Billy Eckstine’s career and notes Gina’s work alongside him. Later coverage, including an All About Jazz concert review, discusses her independent concert appearances. Those sources establish her professional background, not a review of this particular engagement.
For more of Fulton’s performance history, see his keyboardist and pianist credits. The date, venue, and any reservations about whether the engagement occurred remain as recorded in his original notes.
Original Performance Notes
With Gina Eckstine
Artist: Bill Fulton on keys or pianoDate/Time: April 27, 1996 12:00 am
Venue: Monteleone's West - CLOSED
Address: 19337 Ventura Blvd Tarzana, CA 91356
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