What is "Flying High"?
Billie Holiday. Anita O’Day. Lena Horne. Peggy Lee. Rosemary Clooney. Ella Fitzgerald. It’s an impressive, but not complete, list of great vocalists who took swinging jazz standards and added an allusive female perspective. Early in their careers, they were “canaries”—young women singing with the greatest big bands on the scene: the orchestras of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, and others—and went on to create their own sounds and solo careers.
The renowned California-based music nonprofit Jazz at the Ballroom (JATB), proudly announces “Flying High: Big Band Canaries Who Soared.” This extraordinary musical celebration is a tribute to the legendary women who shaped the jazz genre, showcasing their remarkable talent and the timeless classics that defined the era. Under the skillful music direction of the esteemed New York-based jazz pianist and vocalist, Champian Fulton, the performance takes the audience on a nostalgic journey through the golden age of jazz.
““As a pianist I have always wanted to accompany vocalists other than myself, and I am so thrilled to be able to do that with this project and recording. It was a ball to be able to step into that role and just focus on the sound of the piano and the rhythm section. ””
“Flying High” was released as an LP and CD in 2024, both can be found on bandcamp.com. The show has been performed all over America and will return to The Jazz Corner of the World Birdland in NYC this March, in addition to shows on both the East and West coasts during Womens History Month. An album of Christmas music is also in the works, with a release date for Christmas 2025.
““Flying High is a superb sampler of memorable classics done with class…. Radiant!!” ”
“Champian Fulton, who basically owns this recording, is no new new arrival, although she may be new to some listeners. Well, as musicians have remarked of other “girl singers,” if you can play a piano that well, singing is just icing—and Fulton does everything astonishingly well….”
Partial Artist List
Carmen Bradford – Vocals, Champian Fulton – Vocals/Piano, Jane Monheit – Vocals, Lezlie Harrison – Vocals, Gretje Angell – Vocals, Olivia Chindamo – Vocals, Vanessa Perea - Vocals, Nicholas Payton – Trumpet, Willie Jones III - Drums, Charles Ruggiero – Drums, Mike Gurrola -- Bass
About Jazz at the Ballroom
Jazz at the Ballroom is a California-based non-profit that celebrates America’s truly original music – classic jazz. They are dedicated to showcasing the greatest jazz artists in unique settings. Through their concert series, scholarship program, workshops and performances at schools, senior living centers, and hospitals, JATB works to enhance the appreciation of jazz in the larger community. For more information: www.jazzattheballroom.com Facebook: jazzattheballroom Instagram: @jazzattheballroom