Bill Fulton arranger and pianist – “Open For Business”
Bill Fulton Arranger and Pianist Open for Business
Bill Fulton arranger and pianist Open for Business documents Fulton’s work with The John Fick Southern California Jazz Company on its 2001 Sea Breeze Jazz album. Fulton contributed two arrangements, performed on seven tracks, and also supplied an original composition. The recording captures a seasoned Southern California big band performing standards, original material, and arrangements by Fulton, Gary Urwin, Sandy Megas, and Gordon Brisker.
Trumpeter and flugelhornist John Fick led the Southern California Jazz Company. The ensemble began as a Pasadena rehearsal band in 1993 and developed into a long-running group of Los Angeles-area jazz musicians. By the time of Open for Business, the band had performed at Southern California venues including The Baked Potato and Steamers as well as Los Angeles summer concert series.
Bill Fulton’s Arrangements and Composition
Fulton arranged Victor Young and Ned Washington’s jazz standard “Stella by Starlight,” which appears as track six. The performance features solos by alto saxophonist Jim Quam and trombonist Dave Woodley.
Fulton also composed and arranged “Los Gringos,” track ten on the album. The original composition features tenor saxophonist Tony Garcia and drummer Ray Frisby as soloists. “Los Gringos” provides one of the album’s original pieces among a program built largely around well-known jazz and popular standards.
The album booklet credits Fulton among the four arrangers who contributed music to the project, along with Gary Urwin, Sandy Megas, and Gordon Brisker.
Bill Fulton on Piano
In addition to his writing duties, Fulton shared the piano chair with Alan Oldfield. Fulton performs on seven of the album’s fourteen tracks:
- “Over the Rainbow”
- “Stella by Starlight”
- “As Time Goes By”
- “Laura”
- “Stompin’ at the Savoy”
- “Summer of ’42”
- “Pull Out All the Stops”
Fulton also takes a featured piano solo on Gary Urwin’s arrangement of “Laura” and on Sandy Megas’ extended arrangement of “Pull Out All the Stops.” Album liner-note writer Michael Stephans specifically praised pianists Alan Oldfield and Bill Fulton as both supportive accompanists and swinging soloists.
The Southern California Jazz Company
The large ensemble included John Fick on trumpet and flugelhorn, Bobby Burns, Steve Stassi, Michael Fleming, and Jack Feierman in the trumpet section. The trombone section featured Dave Woodley, Bob Galeotti, Michael McCully, and Steve Ferguson.
The saxophone section included Jim Quam, Corky Long, Tony Garcia, Lance Rickman, and Larry Dougherty. The rhythm section consisted of Fulton and Alan Oldfield on piano, Mike Flick on bass, Ray Frisby on drums, and Joe Kearney on guitar. Vocalist Michie Sahara appears on “Send in the Clowns,” “As Time Goes By,” and “Stompin’ at the Savoy.”
The musicians brought extensive professional experience to the recording. Moreover, the liner notes emphasize the band’s stylistic variety, ensemble precision, improvisation, and the considerable amount of solo space given to individual players.
Recording Open for Business
Open for Business was recorded at Audio Picasso Studios in Fullerton, California. Lee Labellarte served as recording engineer, while arranger Gary Urwin provided musical supervision. Jim Quam handled mixing and mastering at Jim Quam Studios in Upland, California.
The album was released by Sea Breeze Jazz in 2001 as catalog number SB-2115. Its fourteen-track program ranges from standards such as “On Green Dolphin Street,” “Over the Rainbow,” “I Thought About You,” and “Laura” to the Fulton original “Los Gringos.”
An All About Jazz review of Open for Business praised both the soloists and ensemble playing, describing the recording as a strong big band release and recommending the album.
More Bill Fulton Recording Credits
Open for Business is one of many recordings featuring Fulton as an arranger, composer, pianist, and keyboardist. Visit the Bill Fulton discography and recording credits to explore additional albums, sessions, arrangements, and performances from throughout his career.
Year: 2001Role: arranger and pianist
Album: Open For Business
Title: Over the Rainbow (pianist), Stella by Starlight (pianist/arranger), As Time Goes By (pianist), Laura (pianist/arranger), Los Gringos (pianist/composer/arranger), Stompin' At The Savoy (pianist), Summer Of '42 (pianist), Pull Out All The Stops (pianist)
Artist: The John Fick Southern California Jazz Company
Release label: Sea Breeze
Purchase links: CD Universe
