Fresno Famous

Here's a rare sort of opportunity for you: Bilal Oliver's Little One Summer Tour, which stops in town, Oct. 31 at Fulton 55. This is one of six California dates for the Grammy-nominated soul singer, and is a callaboration with Autism Speaks. Respesentatives from the organization will be on hand during the event. Local valley favorites, Epiphany Tones (it's a video link) will open. The event is sponsored by the Soulflower Group, so you know it'll be good.

Seriously though, this is the type of show that's in Fulton 55's wheelhouse and should be supported. 

More info on Bilal (via press release): 

Philadelphia native and self confessed jazz enthusiast Bilal Oliver appeared on the scene with his debut album 1st Born Second in 2001. The single “Soul Sista” spent 23 weeks on Billboards Top 20 R&B singles. His second release “Love for Sale” was leaked entirely on line in 2006, but met with wide acceptance from fans and critics alike. In 2010 Plug Research Music released the highly anticipated “Airtights Revenge” Bilal’s most recent effort, which includes the single “Little One” a touching song dedicated to his children.  “My youngest son has Sickle Cell and my oldest son has Autism. This song is for them,” stated Bilal in a recent interview. 

A product of the New School for Social Research, a prestigious avant-garde university in New York, the singer/songwriter learned to sing opera in seven languages. He also scats, plays keyboards, interprets his voice as an instrument and approaches songwriting in the same manner as the jazz musicians he’s studied throughout his career.