Bill Charlap
Encyclopedia
William Morrison Charlap is a jazz
pianist
born October 15, 1966 in New York City
.
Bill Charlap comes from a musical background and is a distant cousin to famed jazz pianist Dick Hyman
. His mother, Sandy Stewart
, is a singer who had a hit in 1962 with My Coloring Book
, while his father was Broadway composer Moose Charlap. Charlap and his mother recorded a duet album: "Love Is Here To Stay." Charlap has recorded seven albums as a leader or co-leader for the Blue Note
label, including two Grammy nominated CDs: "Somewhere", featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein
, and "The Bill Charlap Trio, Live At The Village Vanguard." For the Japanese label Venus Records he has recorded two albums as a leader, as well as eight albums as a member of the New York Trio.
Charlap began playing piano at age three. He later studied classical music, but remained most interested in jazz. He has worked with Gerry Mulligan
, Benny Carter
, Tony Bennett
, and others. In the mid-90s, he was the musical director of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, A Celebration of Johnny Mercer, part of New York's JVC Jazz Festival. In 1995 he joined the Phil Woods
Quintet.
Charlap appears at least twice a year for lengthy runs at some of the world's major jazz clubs, including the Village Vanguard
with his rhythm section, consisting of Peter Washington
(bass
) and Kenny Washington
(drums). In addition to appearing and recording with Peter Washington and Kenny Washington in the Bill Charlap Trio, since 2001 Charlap has also recorded as a member of the New York Trio for the Japanese label Venus Records. The other members of the New York Trio are bassist Jay Leonhart
and drummer Bill Stewart
.
Charlap replaced Dick Hyman
as Artistic Director of New York's 92nd Street Y "Jazz in July" six program series after Hyman's 20th year in 2004. He married Canadian jazz pianist Renee Rosnes
in New York City on August 25, 2007. The pair released an album of piano duets entitled ""Double Portrait" on Blue Note Records
/EMI
.
In 2008, Charlap became part of The Blue Note 7
, a septet
formed that year in honor of the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records
. The group recorded an album in 2008, entitled Mosaic
, which was released in 2009 on Blue Note Records
/EMI
, and toured the United States in promotion of the album from January until April 2009.http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=23494 The group plays the music of Blue Note Records from various artists, with arrangements by members of the band and his wife Renee Rosnes
. Bill lives with his daughters Sophie and Vivian Charlap. He also lives with his wife Renee Rosnes and his stepson Dylan Drummond
Phil Woods
The Great American Songbook, Volumes 1 & 2 (Kind Of Blue)
Voyage with the Bill Charlap Trio at the Floating Jazz Festival Aboard the QE2
Harry Allen
As member of The Blue Note 7
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
born October 15, 1966 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Bill Charlap comes from a musical background and is a distant cousin to famed jazz pianist Dick Hyman
Dick Hyman
Richard “Dick” Hyman is an American jazz pianist/keyboardist and composer, best-known for his versatility with jazz piano styles. Over a 50 year career, he has functioned as pianist, organist, arranger, music director, and, increasingly, as composer...
. His mother, Sandy Stewart
Sandy Stewart (singer)
Sandy Stewart is an American singer of popular songs. She was a regular guest on 1950s TV variety series including shows hosted by Perry Como and Eddie Fisher....
, is a singer who had a hit in 1962 with My Coloring Book
My Coloring Book
-Sandy Stewart version:The song was recorded by Sandy Stewart and released as a single with "I Heard You Cry Last Night" as a b-side in 1962.-Other versions:*Dusty Springfield recorded the song for her 1964 debut album "A Girl Called Dusty"....
, while his father was Broadway composer Moose Charlap. Charlap and his mother recorded a duet album: "Love Is Here To Stay." Charlap has recorded seven albums as a leader or co-leader for the Blue Note
Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
label, including two Grammy nominated CDs: "Somewhere", featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
, and "The Bill Charlap Trio, Live At The Village Vanguard." For the Japanese label Venus Records he has recorded two albums as a leader, as well as eight albums as a member of the New York Trio.
Charlap began playing piano at age three. He later studied classical music, but remained most interested in jazz. He has worked with Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
, Benny Carter
Benny Carter
Bennett Lester Carter was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He was a major figure in jazz from the 1930s to the 1990s, and was recognized as such by other jazz musicians who called him King...
, Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, and others. In the mid-90s, he was the musical director of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, A Celebration of Johnny Mercer, part of New York's JVC Jazz Festival. In 1995 he joined the Phil Woods
Phil Woods
Philip Wells Woods is an American jazz bebop alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader and composer.-Biography:...
Quintet.
Charlap appears at least twice a year for lengthy runs at some of the world's major jazz clubs, including the Village Vanguard
Village Vanguard
The Village Vanguard is a jazz club located at in Greenwich Village, New York City. The club was opened on February 22, 1935, by Max Gordon. At first, it also featured other forms of music such as folk music and beat poetry, but it switched to an all-jazz format in 1957.-History:Over 100 jazz...
with his rhythm section, consisting of Peter Washington
Peter Washington
Peter Washington is a jazz double bassist. He initially played classical bass and played with the Westchester Community Symphony at 14. Later he worked with electric bass and in rock bands. He went on to study English at the University of California, Berkeley...
(bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
) and Kenny Washington
Kenny Washington (musician)
Kenny Washington is a jazz drummer born in Staten Island, New York.He studied at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts...
(drums). In addition to appearing and recording with Peter Washington and Kenny Washington in the Bill Charlap Trio, since 2001 Charlap has also recorded as a member of the New York Trio for the Japanese label Venus Records. The other members of the New York Trio are bassist Jay Leonhart
Jay Leonhart
Jay Leonhart is a noted bassist and songwriter working in jazz and popular music. He has performed with diverse artists including Judy Garland, Carly Simon, Bucky Pizzarelli, Sting, and Frank Sinatra...
and drummer Bill Stewart
Bill Stewart (musician)
William Harris "Bill" Stewart is an American jazz drummer. Stewart is a versatile player who has performed with a broad array of musicians, from Maceo Parker to Jim Hall...
.
Charlap replaced Dick Hyman
Dick Hyman
Richard “Dick” Hyman is an American jazz pianist/keyboardist and composer, best-known for his versatility with jazz piano styles. Over a 50 year career, he has functioned as pianist, organist, arranger, music director, and, increasingly, as composer...
as Artistic Director of New York's 92nd Street Y "Jazz in July" six program series after Hyman's 20th year in 2004. He married Canadian jazz pianist Renee Rosnes
Renee Rosnes
Irene Louise Rosnes , professionally known as Renee Rosnes , is a pianist, composer and arranger in the hard bop and post-bop mediums.-Biography:...
in New York City on August 25, 2007. The pair released an album of piano duets entitled ""Double Portrait" on Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
/EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
.
In 2008, Charlap became part of The Blue Note 7
The Blue Note 7
The Blue Note 7 are a jazz septet formed in 2008 in honor of the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records. The group consists of Peter Bernstein , Bill Charlap , Ravi Coltrane , Lewis Nash , Nicholas Payton , Peter Washington , and Steve Wilson .The group recorded an album in 2008, entitled Mosaic,...
, a septet
Septet
A septet is a formation containing exactly seven members. It is commonly associated with musical groups, but can be applied to any situation where seven similar or related objects are considered a single unit, such as a seven-line stanza of poetry....
formed that year in honor of the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
. The group recorded an album in 2008, entitled Mosaic
Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records
Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records is the 2009 debut album by The Blue Note 7.-Overview:The Blue Note 7 was formed in 2008 in honor of the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records...
, which was released in 2009 on Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
/EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, and toured the United States in promotion of the album from January until April 2009.http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=23494 The group plays the music of Blue Note Records from various artists, with arrangements by members of the band and his wife Renee Rosnes
Renee Rosnes
Irene Louise Rosnes , professionally known as Renee Rosnes , is a pianist, composer and arranger in the hard bop and post-bop mediums.-Biography:...
. Bill lives with his daughters Sophie and Vivian Charlap. He also lives with his wife Renee Rosnes and his stepson Dylan Drummond
As a leader or co-leader
- Along with Me (1993)
- Souvenir (1995, Criss Cross)
- Distant Star (1997, Criss Cross)
- All Through the Night (1998, Criss Cross)
- S Wonderful (1999, Venus Records)
- Written in the Stars (2000, Blue Note)
- 2gether (with Warren Vaché) (2001, Nagel Heyer)
- Stardust (2002, Blue Note) (different from the 2008 Venus Records album of the same title)
- Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein (2004, Blue Note)
- Plays George Gershwin: The American Soul (2005, Blue Note)
- Rolling Stone Original(?) (2005, Blue Note) (A selection of four solo piano recordings available as downloads through iTunes and Amazon.com; the "Rolling Stone Original" title listed on these sites may be incorrect.)
- Bill Charlap & Sandy Stewart: Love Is Here To Stay (2005, Blue Note)
- Live at the Village Vanguard (2007, Blue Note)
- Double Portrait (with Renee Rosnes) (2010, Blue Note)
- I'm Old Fashioned (with Peter Bernstein & Peter Washington) (2010, Venus Records)
Phil WoodsPhil WoodsPhilip Wells Woods is an American jazz bebop alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader and composer.-Biography:...
The Great American Songbook, Volumes 1 & 2 (Kind Of Blue)Voyage with the Bill Charlap Trio at the Floating Jazz Festival Aboard the QE2
Harry AllenHarry Allen (musician)Harry Allen is an American jazz tenor saxophonist born in Washington, D.C.. Early on he was recognized in high school as an exceptional talent being able to uncannily play tunes such as Body and Soul in the style of legendary tenor players Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Flip Phillips, or Sam Donahue...
- Harry Allen Plays Ellington Songs with the Bill Charlap Trio (RCA Victor)
As member of The Blue Note 7The Blue Note 7The Blue Note 7 are a jazz septet formed in 2008 in honor of the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records. The group consists of Peter Bernstein , Bill Charlap , Ravi Coltrane , Lewis Nash , Nicholas Payton , Peter Washington , and Steve Wilson .The group recorded an album in 2008, entitled Mosaic,...
- Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note RecordsMosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note RecordsMosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records is the 2009 debut album by The Blue Note 7.-Overview:The Blue Note 7 was formed in 2008 in honor of the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records...
(Blue Note Records/EMI, 2009)
As member of The New York Trio
- Blues in the Night (Venus Records, 2001)
- The Things We Did Last Summer (Venus Records, 2002)
- Love You Madly (Venus Records, 2003)
- Stairway to the Stars (Venus Records, 2004)
- Begin the Beguine (Venus Records, 2005)
- Thou Swell (Venus Records, 2006)
- Stardust (The New York Trio & Ken Peplowski) (Venus Records, 2008) (different from the 2002 Blue Note album of the same title)
- Always (Venus Records, 2008)
- Venus Favorites (Venus Records, 2009)