Bill Fulton, born on July 4, 1962, in Oakland, California, proudly considers himself a “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” His early years were spent in nearby Alameda, where he embarked on his musical journey at the age of 7, choosing the trumpet for the school concert band due to the absence of a piano in his family. The Fultons later relocated from a 2-bedroom apartment in Alameda to a spacious 5-bedroom house in Dublin, CA, at the age of 15, acquiring their first piano.
Discovering a natural affinity for the piano, Bill, now with his own instrument at home, rapidly honed his skills through self-guided learning, supplemented by a handful of lessons from his mother, a piano prodigy in her youth. Drawing on the musical heritage within his extended family, Bill delved into composing and arranging, showcasing his talents in high school concert and marching bands, local community ensembles, and various instrumental compositions.
In September 1980, Bill pursued his passion further by enrolling as a music composition major at Cal State Hayward (now Cal State East Bay). Post-graduation, Bill immersed himself in the California and Oregon music scenes, wearing multiple hats as a keyboardist, pianist, teacher, composer, arranger, and engineer. His keyboard performances in the San Francisco Bay Area included appearances at private venues, concerts featuring notable artists, and engagements at major hotel chains, often performing up to six nights a week.
Relocating to Los Angeles in 1987 to study with the esteemed Dick Grove at the Dick Grove School of Music, Bill continued to play live gigs across the city. His connections from the school led him to a composer position at Sunset Studios in August 1988, where he contributed themes and underscore for TV shows like “The Munsters Today,” “The New Dragnet,” “The New Adam 12“, and “FBI: The Untold Stories.”
By 1993, Bill ventured into the world of animation, composing for Warner Bros Animation, Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, and Cartoon Network, notably for series like “I Am Weasel,” “Cow & Chicken,” and “What A Cartoon!” His work found its way into films such as “The Ring” and “Unbreakable.”
In 1997, Bill scored the “Blotto” episode of Nickelodeon’s Oh Yeah! Cartoons, a groundbreaking animated score featuring R&B/funk music. Subsequently, he delved into advertising, collaborating with BBDO on spots, including Frito-Lay’s “Cheetos Go-Snacks.”
Parallel to his composition work, Bill formed the Bill Fulton Band in 2002, releasing albums like “Time” (2002) and “About 12:00am” (2009). The band, known for its versatility across jazz fusion, smooth jazz, funk, pop, and classical genres, performed at renowned Los Angeles venues.
From 1980 to 2017, Bill maintained a consistent presence as a live keyboardist and pianist, collaborating with various artists worldwide. Notable associations include Engelbert Humperdinck, Suzanne Somers, Connie Stevens, Jack Sheldon, Jeff Lorber, and other prominent Los Angeles musicians.
As a composer, arranger, orchestrator, and copyist, Bill’s contributions span a wide array of clients and projects since 1980. His original scores, particularly for big bands and orchestras, have gained popularity among music departments and groups globally.
In 2016, Bill transitioned his musical pursuits with the launch of Groove Lexicon (formerly The Bill Fulton Band), collaborating with drummer David Anderson. The band, active in Los Angeles, has recently produced a music video and is dedicated to extensive promotion and live performances.
