Bill Fulton pianist – “Ballads & Blenders”
Bill Fulton pianist Ballads and Blenders documents a live jazz performance by the Patrick Boone Quartet, with Fulton at the piano. Recorded at the Holly Street Bar and Grill, the album presents an extended set of jazz standards and modern classics in a small-group setting.
The quartet features Patrick Boone on tenor saxophone, Bill Fulton on piano, Ron Keith Dye on drums, and Dave Grover on bass. The live format gives the musicians room to develop each selection through ensemble playing and improvisation.
Bill Fulton on Piano with the Patrick Boone Quartet
Fulton performs throughout the recording as the quartet’s pianist. The program draws from several generations of jazz composition, including music by Billy Strayhorn, Lee Morgan, Jimmy Van Heusen, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Rodgers and Hart, Oliver Nelson, and Tadd Dameron.
The album opens with Billy Strayhorn’s Chelsea Bridge, followed by Lee Morgan’s Ceora. Jimmy Van Heusen’s Here’s That Rainy Day brings a familiar standard into the set, while Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Quiet Night adds a Brazilian influence.
The quartet also performs Rodgers and Hart’s My Romance, Oliver Nelson’s Stolen Moments, and Tadd Dameron’s Soul Train. Several tracks run for more than nine minutes, allowing the quartet to explore the material beyond the length of a typical studio performance.
Ballads and Blenders Track List
- Chelsea Bridge – Billy Strayhorn – 7:22
- Ceora – Lee Morgan – 7:13
- Here’s That Rainy Day – Jimmy Van Heusen – 9:14
- Quiet Night – Antonio Carlos Jobim – 9:14
- My Romance – Rodgers and Hart – 11:07
- Stolen Moments – Oliver Nelson – 9:56
- Soul Train – Tadd Dameron – 11:47
Live Jazz Recording
Ballads and Blenders was recorded live at the Holly Street Bar and Grill May 11, 2001. Dave Grover produced the recording for Acton Records, and Chuck Brooke created the cover design.
The combination of tenor saxophone, piano, bass, and drums places the recording firmly in the classic jazz quartet tradition. At the same time, the varied repertoire moves from ballads and standards to compositions associated with hard bop and post-bop jazz.
Explore more of Bill Fulton’s work in his discography, including recordings as a pianist, keyboardist, composer, arranger, and producer. You can also visit the Bill Fulton website for additional music, arrangements, recordings, and career information.
For additional background on several composers represented on the album, see the Billy Strayhorn and Oliver Nelson biographies.
Year: 2001Role: pianist
Album: Ballads & Blenders
Title: all titles
Artist: The Patrick Boone Quartet
Release label: N/A
Purchase links:
