Bill Fulton Tom Hanson Big Band | Live at the Jazz Bakery

On Green Dolphin Street

Bill Fulton Tom Hanson Big Band performances were part of Los Angeles’ active big band scene during the early 2000s. On September 1, 2003, Fulton performed on piano with the Tom Hanson Big Band at the Jazz Bakery in Culver City. In addition to playing piano, Fulton contributed arrangements that appeared in the band’s live program.

Live at the Jazz Bakery in 2003

The Tom Hanson Big Band performed two sets at the Jazz Bakery on September 1, 2003. Fulton played piano throughout the concert. The program included music by several of the band’s composers and arrangers, including Rick Hils, Lee Secard, John Daversa, Dick Hamilton, and Bill Fulton.

Fulton’s contributions included his big band arrangements of On Green Dolphin Street and Laura. Both titles appeared during the first set. The second set also included On A Mission, another Bill Fulton title.

The performance grew out of an active Los Angeles rehearsal band that regularly read new arrangements and compositions. Tom Hanson’s archive describes Fulton as one of the band’s principal arranger-composers. The group provided an opportunity for writers to hear original charts played by experienced Los Angeles jazz musicians.

Bill Fulton as pianist and arranger

Fulton’s role with the band combined two areas of his professional work. At the piano, he supported the rhythm section and the large ensemble. As an arranger, he contributed charts created specifically for the sound and resources of a jazz big band.

The September 2003 personnel also included Richard Maloof on bass, Steven Bethers on guitar, and Mel Lee on drums. The horn sections featured musicians including Jim Youngstrom, Jerry Pinter, Lee Secard, Larry Wolff, Don Roberts, Ron King, Jeff Kaye, Pete DeSiena, Jonathan Dane, Chuck Foster, Tom Hanson, Kevin Bradley, Dan Osterman, and Craig Ware.

On Green Dolphin Street has remained part of Fulton’s arranging catalog beyond this Jazz Bakery performance. His big band arrangement is also available through the Bill Fulton Music store.

The Jazz Bakery was founded by singer and educator Ruth Price and became one of Los Angeles’ important nonprofit jazz performance spaces. More information about its history and continuing concert programs is available from the Jazz Bakery.

More from Bill Fulton

Explore more recordings in the Bill Fulton discography, or visit the big band arrangements section for additional charts and arrangements.

Year: 2003
Role: pianist, arrangers
Album: Tom Hanson Big Band Live At The Jazz Bakery
Title: pianist on all titles, arranger on On Green Dolphin Street, On A Mission, and Laura
Artist: Tom Hanson Big Band
Release label: N/A
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