LANDING 2026
The Story
The canaries are back ! Our first album , Flying High , celebrated the women who sang with the great big bands and then broke free to build legendary solo careers . Now we ' re expanding the nest . Flying High : Still Soaring introduces even more trailblazers who refused to be caged by the era ' s expectations : women who didn ' t just sing the standards , they reset them .
From the swing era into the cool jazz revolution and beyond , these artists kept evolving , experimenting , and redefining what a female voice in jazz could do . They weren ' t content to simply take flight ; they soared higher , farther , and with more daring than anyone thought possible . Join us as we follow their songs and sounds past the big band days and into the stratosphere , where their influence still echoes today . Because once these birds spread their wings , they continued to soar .
Carmen Bradford Bria Skonberg
What They’re Saying
About the 2024 album “Flying High”
If an anthology of really hip girl singers is to your taste, look no farther…this recording is a serious pleasure…A tribute to canaries is long overdue. And this one is excellent. And sexy too.
All About Jazz (Richard Salvucci)
“Any library that supports jazz pedagogy should jump at the chance to acquire this wonderful album”
CD HotList (Rick Anderson)
“Each "canary" captures the spirit of that genre...Champian's art shows through on the whole program. ”
WDCB Radio, Chicago
“ ... a concept album that succeeds with flying colors...a superb sampler of memorable classics done with class ”
– Talkin ’ Broadway (Rob Lester)
“Champian Fulton excels as both a piano virtuoso and an amazing vocalist, recalling artists like Nat
“King” Cole or Louis Armstrong who were great in both arenas”
– Hot House Jazz (John Zaff)
“It’s a rare treat to hear such a range of vocal styles on one disc... The musical accompaniment bears more than a passing mention, as Fulton’s piano talent is easily the equal of her singing voice. ”
– The Syncopated Times (Dave Doyle)
JANE MONHEIT
CHAMPIAN FULTON
CARMEN BRADFORD
VANESSA PEREA
OLIVIA CHINDAMO
GRETJE ANGELL
The Music
LISTEN HERE
S'posin' - Bria Skonberg
Good Morning Heartache - Tahira Clayton
What a Little Moonlight Can Do - Carmen Bradford
Just For A Thrill - Champian Fulton
Swing! Brother, Swing! - Tahira Clayton
It’s Been a Long, Long Time - Bria Skonberg
Lullaby Of The Leaves - Carmen Bradford
If Dreams Come True - Champian Fulton
Do It Again - Champian Fulton
Sentimental Journey - Nicole Zuraitis
Compilation also includes:
Klas Lindquist (saxophone)
Neal Miner (bass)
Charles Ruggiero (drums)
Fukushi Tanaka (drums)
Buster Williams (bass) (instrumental)
Tahira Clayton
The Artists
These talented musicians are part of the live performances and/or the Flying High albums
Champian Fulton
Music Director and Lead Piano/Vocals
Gretje Angell - Vocals
Elizabeth Bougerol - Vocals
Carmen Bradford - Vocals
Olivia Chindamo - Vocals
Tahira Clayton - Vocals
Alex Frank - Bass
Mike Gurrola - Bass
Lezlie Harrison - Vocals
Willie Jones III - Drums
Klas Linquist - Saxophone
Neal Miner - Bass
Jane Monheit - Vocals
Ekep Nkwelle - Vocals
Nicholas Payton - Trumpet
Ken Peplowski - Clarinet
Vanessa Perea- Vocals
Imani Rousselle - Vocals
Charles Ruggiero - Drums
Bria Skonberg - Vocals
Jerry Weldon - Saxophone
Buster Williams - Bass
Nicole Zuraitis - Vocals
Nicole Zuraitis Olivia Chindamo
Champian Fulton
Music Director and Lead Piano/Vocals
With 19 albums to her credit, CHAMPIAN FULTON is considered one of the most gifted pure jazz musicians of her generation, being called “an assured vocalist with a galvanizing presence, ” by The New Yorker and “a charming young steward of the mainstream jazz tradition” by The New York Times. She has performed with musical royalty such as Lou Donaldson, Frank Wess, Scott Hamilton, Buster Williams, and Louis Hayes. (Her first paid musical engagement was with her own band at Clark Terry’s 75th Birthday Party; she was 10 years old) Champian is a Yamaha and Birdland Artist.
Suzanne Waldowski
Songbook Ink - President
Songbook Ink - President
Jazz at the Ballroom - Executive Director
Jazz at the Ballroom - Executive Director
Suzanne Waldowski is the founder and executive director of Jazz at the Ballroom and the founder of Songbook Ink, two closely linked ventures dedicated to preserving and celebrating classic jazz and the Great American Songbook. Her work began in 2014, when she moved into the original Bing Crosby estate in Northern California and started hosting concerts in its long-unused ballroom. Those gatherings quickly evolved into Jazz at the Ballroom, which became a nonprofit in 2017 with a mission to share classic jazz and foster community through live performance. Songbook Ink grew alongside this work as a boutique record label and music-inspired merchandise brand, extending the reach of Jazz at the Ballroom beyond the stage. Together, the two organizations ensure that the sound, style, and legacy of the American Songbook remain vi y.
Contac
ROBERTA
LAWRENCE
SOUNDCHECK PR
Mobile: (917) 929-4910
roberta.soundcheckpr@gmail.com
Jazz at the Ballroom and Songbook Ink work in partnership to celebrate and preserve the American Songbook and classic jazz through live performance, recorded music, and inspired merchandise.
JAZZ AT THE BALLROOM presents dynamic live jazz shows that bring the Great American Songbook to life. Through concerts, workshops, and community engagement, the organization showcases world-class musicians in intimate and unique venues, keeping timeless jazz traditions vibrant and accessible.
SONGBOOK INK is a boutique record label and music-themed merchandise brand that channels the spirit of classic jazz into curated releases and thoughtfully designed products. With its vintage-inspired aesthetic and artist-focused approach, it offers fans new ways to enjoy and support the music they love.
Together, these two ventures ensure that the sound, style, and legacy of the American Songbook continue to thrive for new generations.