Bill Fulton on keys or piano with Christopher Mason
Bill Fulton performance with Christopher Mason at Le Petit Four was one of Fulton’s Southern California engagements with alto saxophonist Christopher Mason, this time at Le Petit Four in West Hollywood.
In addition, the personnel names drummers Donald Dean and Raymond Pounds. Also, bassists Louis Spears and Lewis Large appear, along with other musicians. Meanwhile, Dean had deep roots in Los Angeles jazz and worked with artists including Les McCann. Similarly, Pounds brought extensive recording experience, including work with Stevie Wonder. Those names place the engagement among seasoned Southern California players. Their careers crossed jazz, R&B and studio work.
Le Petit Four and the Los Angeles music scene
Le Petit Four occupied 8654 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood’s Sunset Plaza. The restaurant opened in 1981. Eventually, it became a long-running Sunset Strip fixture. Meanwhile, the Sunset Boulevard address placed the engagement in a major Los Angeles nightlife corridor. In addition, entertainment-industry figures, neighborhood regulars and visitors passed through Sunset Plaza.
Le Petit Four remained at the same address for more than four decades before closing in 2025. During this period, Fulton made several appearances there. By then, the restaurant had become part of Sunset Strip nightlife. The address for Fulton’s engagement was 8654 Sunset Blvd.
A Sunset Strip engagement
For this appearance, the setting was also part of the story. Sunset Plaza sat amid the Strip’s restaurants, clubs and entertainment businesses. In addition, the area regularly drew visitors and Los Angeles residents. Le Petit Four’s long tenure connected its musicians to that nightlife. However, the restaurant was not a conventional concert hall. Later, Fulton returned to the restaurant on multiple dates. Christopher Mason appears repeatedly among the musicians associated with those engagements.
Bill Fulton performance with Christopher Mason at Le Petit Four remains part of Fulton’s broader history of live performances with Los Angeles-area musicians. Taken with Fulton’s other appearances from the period, the engagement captures one corner of the active Los Angeles live-music circuit in which he worked.
In addition, more appearances can be found in Fulton’s past events. For additional historical context, see Los Angeles Times history of Le Petit Four.
Artist: Bill Fulton on keys or pianoDate/Time: July 19, 1990 12:00 am
Venue: Le Petit Four
Address: 8654 Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069
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