The Official Website of Jazz Pianist and Vocalist Champian Fulton

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	Fukushi Tainaka Master drummer Fukushi Tainaka is one of the best-known Japanese jazz musicians of his generation and one of the most in-demand drum players on the international jazz scene. A longtime member of legendary alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson’s group, Fukushi played alongside countless other prominent jazz artists, including trumpet legend Dizzy Girespie, Bill Hardman and Woody Shaw, guitarist George Benson and Randy Johnston, pianist Champian Fulton, Benny Green, Barry Harris and Junior Mance, organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, saxophonist Arnett Cobb, Junior Cook, Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Heath, James Moody, David ‘Fathead’ Newman and Frank Wess. During the past two decades, Fukushi has performed in most New York jazz venues, including Birdland, Black Duck, The Blue Note, Garage, Fat Cat, Smoke, Smalls, The Village Vanguard (and defunct clubs such as Sweet Basil, Fat Tuesday’s, and The Village Gate), as well as playing at major concert halls, jazz clubs, and festivals all over the world. Fukushi’s jazz festival appearances include New York’s prestigious JVC Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center Outdoors, Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, the New Orleans Jazz Fest, the Philadelphia Jazz Festival, the Cape May Jazz Festival, the Iowa Jazz Workshop, the Toronto and Montreal Jazz Festivals, as well as major European and Japanese jazz festivals. Fukushi has toured Japan as often as three times a year since the early 1980s with his own groups, as a member of the acclaimed pianist Shizuko Yokoyama’s trio, and with Lou Donaldson and other jazz greats. Since the mid-80s, Fukushi has also toured Europe twice every year with Lou Donaldson, appearing at jazz clubs and festivals in European countries. His recording history includes two hit CDs with Lou Donaldson, also appearing in his longtime musical partner Shizuko Yokoyama’s album “To My Mother”, and dozens of other recordings from various Japanese jazz labels. Champian & Fuku were introduced by Lou Donaldson and Fuku has been playing in Champian's Trio since 2004.
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	Neal Miner Born and raised in Manhattan, Neal Miner is a bassist and composer steeped in the tradition of swing and bop. Since the opening of Smalls jazz club in Greenwich Village, Neal has been a favored sideman to many musicians there, as well as leading his own groups featuring his original compositions. As an accompanist, he regularly backs jazz legends such as Jon Hendricks, Annie Ross, and Frank Wess; new jazz stars like Jane Monheit, Pete Bernstein, and Grant Stewart. As a band leader and composer Neal often brings the bass to the forefront of his groups and compositions. Champian & Neal met on the Jazz Scene & Neal has been playing with Champian since early 2006.
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Fukushi Tainaka

Neal Miner