Bill Fulton on keys or piano at Henri’s Restaurant

Bill Fulton with Med Flory and Dave Pell at Henri’s featured pianist and keyboardist Bill Fulton with saxophonist Dave Pell, plus saxophonist Med Flory at Henri’s Restaurant on Sherman Way in the western San Fernando Valley. The engagement adds another Los Angeles-area date to Fulton’s work with Pell. It also connects Fulton with Pell’s West Coast jazz circle. Meanwhile, the setting at 21601 Sherman Way placed the performance in Canoga Park.

Dave Pell and the West Coast jazz tradition

Dave Pell became a recognizable West Coast jazz voice after moving to California in the 1940s. He played with Les Brown and began leading his own groups in the 1950s, most famously the Dave Pell Octet. According to AllMusic’s Dave Pell biography, his octets drew notable Los Angeles arrangers and players. In addition, Pell recorded for Atlantic, Kapp, Coral, Capitol and RCA Victor.

The octet gave Pell arranged detail while leaving room for soloists. Over the years, Marty Paich, Mel Lewis, Red Mitchell and Art Pepper appeared in Pell-led groups. Later, Pell revived the octet for recordings and live appearances. Therefore, the group remained part of his musical identity for decades. Med Flory joined Pell on the Henri’s Restaurant engagement. That pairing connected Fulton with two saxophonists strongly associated with the Los Angeles jazz and studio scene.

Henri’s Restaurant and the Los Angeles music scene

Henri’s restaurant on sherman way in the western san fernando valley set the scene for this Fulton-Pell connection. Pell spent much of his career in Southern California. Therefore, Los Angeles-area rooms became a natural home for his later performances. At the same time, Fulton worked as a pianist and keyboardist in many of the same professional music circles. Readers can explore more of his performing history in Bill Fulton’s keyboardist and pianist credits.

For Fulton, the engagement represents another performance alongside Pell and the musicians around his octet. Moreover, the date reflects West Coast jazz across Los Angeles clubs, hotels, festivals and cultural venues. Bill Fulton with Med Flory and Dave Pell at Henri’s captures that specific connection between performer, bandleader and venue.

Artist: Bill Fulton on keys or piano
Date/Time: February 12, 2010 12:00 am
Venue: Henri's Restaurant
Address: 21601 Sherman Way Canoga Park, CA 91303
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