Bill Fulton on keys or piano at Rose Bowl
Bill Fulton Dave Pell Octet at Pasadena Summerfest featured pianist and keyboardist Bill Fulton with saxophonist Dave Pell at Pasadena’s landmark Rose Bowl. 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 1001 Rose Bowl Dr placed the performance in Pasadena.
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. The appearance was connected with Pasadena Summerfest and Playboy Jazz. As a result, the Rose Bowl setting placed the octet in a larger festival context rather than a standard club date.
Rose Bowl and the Los Angeles music scene
Pasadena’s landmark rose bowl 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 Dave Pell Octet at Pasadena Summerfest captures that specific connection between performer, bandleader and venue.
Artist: Bill Fulton on keys or pianoDate/Time: May 28, 2006 12:00 am
Venue: Rose Bowl
Address: 1001 Rose Bowl Dr Pasadena, CA 91103
