Bill Charlap Trio: A Jazz Giant’s Slow Climb

New York’s Bill Charlap, while a fan of classical and rock, was turned onto jazz when he was only eight. He has played with a host of jazz stars, as well as legendary stars Barbra Streisand, Phil Woods, and with Tony Bennett on an episode of 30 Rock for Liz Lemon’s wedding.

Listening to Charlap play is like being in the presence of an intimate lover’s voice in the middle of the night. This is not music to drink your fourth Starbucks to as you power through your day, but rather, music that asks us to slow down. Charlap invents a pace with his playing like only a jazz artist could create. The untrained ear might  become restless, but Charlap’s incredibly complex rhythm is truly spellbinding for those who see him live.

Since it has been more than five years since this Grammy Nominated artist released the Bill Charlap Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard (2007), the trio will have a few surprises over the next couple months for folks looking for new music, which means that for locals who attend this show, there is a good chance to hear a preview of these new compositions in the works.

Most of all, Charlap is a poetic artist who conjures up images of what it must have been like to sit in the presence of names like Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, and Bill Evans — all masters of this musical art form, and giants who have inspired Charlap to scale the heights.

Be spontaneous, like this lovely, reflective and rich music, and see why the Bill Charlap Trio is adored the world over.

Admission: Starting at $30 ($10 for students)