Born in Norman, Oklahoma in 1985, Champian is hailed as “the most gifted pure Jazz singer of her generation” (Mark Stryker, Detroit Free Press). A pianist and vocalist for over 20 years, she has released 18 albums and performed in more than 25 countries. Her accolades include multiple Album of the Year honors from the NYC Jazz Record and recognition as Pianist and Vocalist of the Year (2019) by Hot House Magazine.
Champian began performing at age 10 for family friend Clark Terry and has since shared the stage with Jazz greats including Lou Donaldson, Scott Hamilton, and the WDR Jazz Orchestra. A Birdland regular for over two decades, she and the venue celebrated their partnership with the 2023 release Meet Me at Birdland, named Best Vocal Album of the Year by the NYC Jazz Record.
Her international career includes performances at the San Fermines Festival (Spain), Tangier Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center, and the San Diego Symphony Hall, as well as an appearance in the Emmy-nominated TV special Take Me Back to Manhattan.
Since her 2007 debut Champian, she has recorded acclaimed albums in diverse formats, including duos with Cory Weeds and her father, trumpeter Stephen Fulton. Her 2020 release Birdsong, celebrating Charlie Parker, was praised by The New York Times as “buoyant.” Recently, she collaborated with Jazz at the Ballroom on Flying High as pianist and artistic director. As All About Jazz notes, “Champian does everything astonishingly well.”
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