Christmas with Champian Fulton
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Christmas Eve at Birdland brings Champian Fulton’s late set, Christmas with Champian Fulton. The pianist and vocalist leads a quartet with Klas Lindquist on alto saxophone and clarinet, Nathan Francis on bass, and Fukushi Tainaka on drums. Fulton’s piano and voice anchor the evening, with the horn, bass and drums completing the group.
Born in Norman, Oklahoma, in 1985, Fulton has worked as a jazz pianist and vocalist for more than two decades. She has released 18 albums as a leader, performed in more than 25 countries in concerts and on television, and earned NYC Jazz Record Album of the Year honors in 2018, 2020 and 2023, alongside Hot House Magazine’s 2019 Pianist and Vocalist of the Year awards. Mark Stryker of the Detroit Free Press called her “the most gifted pure Jazz singer of her generation.” The Absolute Sound wrote, “Every song is a work of art in Champian’s hands and voice,” while The New Yorker noted her “galvanizing presence.” The New York Times called her “a charming young steward of the mainstream Jazz tradition.”
Birdland offers a refined jazz experience in a room where the audience sits at tables close to the stage, allowing every note to reach you clearly. The venue features a full menu with dishes like New Orleans-style gumbo alongside a well-stocked bar, making it easy to enjoy a meal or drinks while listening. Each show is ticketed per set, encouraging focused listening as the music unfolds in roughly 45-minute segments. The club’s walls echo decades of jazz history, having hosted legends and continuing to attract top contemporary artists. Located in Manhattan’s Theater District, the space balances a serious music environment with the energy of a night out, where attentive audiences savor the performances without distraction. Booking ahead is essential, as the club fills quickly for its celebrated lineup.