bill charlap

Biography

Bill Charlap, born in New York City in 1966, was immersed in music from an early age as the son of Broadway composer Moose Charlap and acclaimed singer Sandy Stewart. He began playing piano at age three, studying both classical and jazz traditions, and attended New York’s High School of Performing Arts. Rather than completing college, Charlap chose to hone his craft through performance, quickly becoming a sought-after accompanist and collaborator in the jazz world.

Charlap’s career accelerated in the 1990s, when he joined Gerry Mulligan’s band and later the Phil Woods Quintet, working with jazz luminaries such as Benny Carter, Tony Bennett, and Clark Terry. In 1997, he formed the Bill Charlap Trio with Peter Washington (bass) and Kenny Washington (drums), a group now recognized as one of jazz’s premier ensembles. Renowned for his sensitive and imaginative interpretations of the American Songbook, Charlap has released numerous acclaimed albums, including Grammy-nominated works like 'Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein' and 'Live at the Village Vanguard.' In 2016, he won a Grammy for 'The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern' with Tony Bennett.

Beyond performance, Charlap has shaped jazz education and curation as Artistic Director of the Jazz in July Festival at 92NY and as Director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University. He is also known for frequent collaborations with his wife, pianist Renee Rosnes, and his mother, Sandy Stewart, further cementing his legacy as a leading interpreter and advocate for jazz and the Great American Songbook.

Fun Facts

• Bill Charlap is a distant cousin of jazz pianist Dick Hyman.
• He began playing piano at age three and studied both classical and jazz music.
• Charlap is married to renowned jazz pianist Renee Rosnes, and they frequently perform together as a duo.
• His mother, Sandy Stewart, was a regular on the Perry Como Show and earned a Grammy nomination in 1963.

Associated Acts

• The Phil Woods Quintet + One (1995–present)
• New York Trio
• Bill Charlap Trio - eponymous, original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Bill Mays - Recommended Charlap as his replacement in the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, providing early career support and guidance. (Gerry Mulligan Quartet performances) [early 1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Peter Washington - Member of the Bill Charlap Trio (bass) (All trio albums, including 'Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein', 'Live at the Village Vanguard', 'Uptown Downtown') [1997–present]
• Kenny Washington - Member of the Bill Charlap Trio (drums) (All trio albums, including 'Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein', 'Live at the Village Vanguard', 'Uptown Downtown') [1997–present]
• Tony Bennett - Collaborated on Grammy-winning and nominated albums ('The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern', 'Love Is Here to Stay' (with Diana Krall)) [2010s]
• Sandy Stewart - Mother and frequent recording partner ('Love Is Here to Stay', 'Something to Remember') [2004, 2012]
• Renee Rosnes - Wife and duo piano collaborator ('Double Portrait') [2010]
• Gerry Mulligan - Band member early in career (Gerry Mulligan Quartet recordings and performances) [late 1980s–early 1990s]
• Phil Woods - Member of the Phil Woods Quintet (Phil Woods Quintet performances and recordings) [1995–late 1990s]

Artists Influenced

• Students at William Paterson University - As Director of Jazz Studies, Charlap has mentored and influenced numerous emerging jazz pianists and musicians. (Jazz Studies program, student performances) [2015–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. The Nearness Of You (Stardust: The Music Of Hoagy Carmichael)
2. I Was So Young, And You Were So Beautiful (Plays George Gershwin: The American Soul)
3. Georgia On My Mind (Stardust: The Music Of Hoagy Carmichael)
4. The Way You Look Tonight (The Silver Lining - The Songs of Jerome Kern)
5. It's So Peaceful In The Country (All Through The Night)
6. All The Things You Are (The Silver Lining - The Songs of Jerome Kern)
7. Pure Imagination (All Through The Night)
8. Honeysuckle Rose
9. I Walk With Music (Stardust: The Music Of Hoagy Carmichael)
10. Look For the Silver Lining (The Silver Lining - The Songs of Jerome Kern)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz, #jazz-and-blues, #post-bop