THE LADY'S A CHAMPIAN
By Andy Weddington
Monday, 09 March 2026
I never had much interest in the piano until I realized that every time I played, a girl would appear on the piano bench to my left and another to my right. - Duke Ellington
How the lady told her story ...
To be like dad, I learned trumpet and flugelhorn.
But, for lipstick, horns was not going to work out.
So, I learned upright bass.
Callouses, for life, put end to big strings.
Drums? Why not!
Like horn and bass, I learned.
But put down sticks for not being able to wear a dress.
So piano, and singing, my choice.
Past Thursday and Saturday evenings we sat, few rows off stage - different theaters, to watch and listen to the lady play and sing.
With phenomenal trio; bass, drums, vibraphone.
Jazz!
Masterful!
John Philip Sousa opined, "Jazz will endure just as long as people hear it through their feet instead of their brains."
From the time she sat on the bench until standing 90 minutes later to leave stage, her legs and feet did not stop moving; vibrating to the music.
No sheet music.
She sang - phrasing perfect - playfully, bubbly, strongly, warmly, and sultry.
She, with command of the stage, was captivating.
Between tunes, she shared decision at age 8 to become a jazz musician/singer.
Apparent at first strike of keys and release of lyrics she was born for the stage, and knew it.
An Oklahoma (Norman) Sooner by birth and more than 20 years based in New York City she travels the world.
How and why not having heard of her until last week puzzling (jazz fan since high school).
Now I know.
And so should you.
Keep eye out and ear open should she play in your parts. Or anywhere near.
Jazz ...
As the late Charles Mingus (bassist, pianist, composer, et al.) saw it, "Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity."
Go! See and hear the lady - Champian Fulton - create.
Simple as that.
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