Jazz Articles about Bill Charlap

Bill Charlap: Plays George Gershwin: The American Soul

by Eric J. Iannelli
June 26, 2005

Pianist Bill Charlap limited himself to Leonard Bernstein-penned tunes for his previous album, Somewhere (Blue Note, 2004). For the followup (or -on, one might say) he has chosen to concentrate exclusively on another giant of American music, George Gershwin, with undoubtedly fine results.

The group shrinks and swells, depending on the treatment Charlap aims to give the material. The bandleader is flanked only by his familiar duo of Washingtons, drummer Kenny and bassist Peter (no relation), on the effervescent opener, ...

Bill Charlap in Albany, NY

by R.J. DeLuke
January 24, 2005

One of the finest practioners of the piano these days is Bill Charlap. He's not going to be pushing the envelope and probably no one has yet seen him dash off on Jarrett-esque sojourns or Herbie-with-Miles escapades. But he is an engaging and sophisticated player, full of nvention and... yes.. even charm.

His trio is one of the best out there and has been togther for a few years now, though on Jan. 16 at The egg in Albany, NY, ...

Bill Charlap: Somewhere: The Songs Of Leonard Bernstein

by Celeste Sunderland
October 20, 2004

This month Brooke Shields steps into the starring role of Broadway's Tony-Award winning Wonderful Town revival; 25 of Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic are available on DVD; and radio listeners will have the pleasure of hearing an eleven-part documentary on the maestro's life and career, narrated by Susan Sarandon. Fourteen years after his death, his fans are just as devoted to the immensely loved composer/conductor/pianist as ever and they won't want to miss Somewhere , ...

"Somewhere" (at the Vanguard) with Bill Charlap & the Washingtons

by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
April 11, 2004

One reason I enjoy researching my Nite & Disks is that I get a fuller sense of what the artists are up to, since there can be a considerable difference between the archived and live versions of the same material. Sometimes it's due to various playing conditions: more or less tension, the visit (or absence) of the Muse, the moods and events of the day, the producer's opinions, the receptiveness (and manners) of the audience, a player's toothache, the quality ...

Bill Charlap Trio: Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein

by J. Robert Bragonier
April 2, 2004

In 2002, Bill Charlap and his trusty trio mates, Peter and Kenny Washington (no relation), released their second Blue Note CD, a centennial tribute to the music of Hoagy Carmichael, to considerable critical acclaim. Here the trio turns its attention and remarkable talents to the music of the inimitable Leonard Bernstein, with selections from West Side Story, On the Town, Wonderful Town, Candide, and Fancy Free. Bernstein was no stranger to jazz, and West Side Story has previously been mined ...

Bill Charlap Trio: Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein

by Joshua Weiner
March 22, 2004

The son of a Broadway composer, Bill Charlap seems to have the standard jazz repertoire in his blood. His is a resolutely mainstream approach, in the vein if not always the style of Oscar Peterson, and he sounds completely at home with the music on his latest album, Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein.

Aided by the empathetic playing of Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums, Charlap takes a fresh look at 12 of ...

Bill Charlap Trio: Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein

by Jim Santella
March 20, 2004

Capturing the wide range of expression that Leonard Bernstein put into this music, pianist Bill Charlap leads a stellar trio through various forms of emotion on Somewhere. From the album’s opening “Cool,” with its built-in, street-smart intensity, to the haphazard “Big Stuff” at a loping tempo with laid-back demeanor, the trio interprets the composer admirably.

Blue Note has not forgotten its quest to seek out and represent the finest in mainstream jazz. Peter Washington provides lyrical and ...