Bill Fulton on keys or piano at Mirabelle Restaurant
Gina Eckstine Mirabelle Dec 31 1998 refers to the Dec 31, 1998 engagement in Bill Fulton’s performance history.
Gina Eckstine appears in Bill Fulton’s performance history for December 31, 1998 at Mirabelle Restaurant. 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 Mirabelle Dec 31 1998 — 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.
Mirabelle Restaurant and the engagement
The original notes place this New Year’s Eve engagement at Mirabelle Restaurant. The source also recalls a rehearsal the preceding day. No reliable historical venue page was established, so details about the restaurant’s programming and the evening’s repertoire remain open.
Original performance details and historical context
The original notes state: With Gina Eckstine (vocal) $350. We rehearsed the day before at my house which I had not yet moved into. Tom was there. I was in a bad mood because of a difficult load-in. I had five New Year's eve gigs offered to me. Embassy Suites Ventura $200, Caterina New in Sherman Oaks $300, singer with Earl Alexander (no details), Adam Cohen (no details)
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 (vocal) $350. We rehearsed the day before at my house which I had not yet moved into. Tom was there. I was in a bad mood because of a difficult load-in. I had five New Year’s eve gigs offered to me. Embassy Suites Ventura $200, Caterina New in Sherman Oaks $300, singer with Earl Alexander (no details), Adam Cohen (no details)
Artist: Bill Fulton on keys or pianoDate/Time: December 31, 1998 12:00 am
Venue: Mirabelle Restaurant
Address: 8768 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90069
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