Bill Charlap Trio - Stardust (2002)

With his elegant lyric sensibility and use of classic harmonics, which might best be characterized as equal parts Hank Jones and Bill Evans, pianist Bill Charlap manages to suggest something at once timeless and modern in his approach to jazz piano.


And while references to past and present masters of the keyboard abound in this recital of Hoagy Carmichael compositions (as in his tasty appropriation of Evans's tolling intro to "Some Other Time" on a poignant reading of "The Nearness of You," or his interpolation of Red Garland's "Billy Boy" as a prelude to "I Walk with Music"), Charlap manages to evoke the dreamy, unhurried character redolent of so much of Carmichael's music, while maintaining his own probing, crystalline presence. Thus, while a briskly swinging jaunt through "Jubilee" finds him navigating an equestrian set of changes in a round-robin romp with his exceptionally empathetic rhythm mates (bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington), his sultry flirting with tenorist Frank Wess on "Blue Orchids" and his lofty harmonic byplay with guitarist Jim Hall reveal a musician wise beyond his years–restrained and relaxed and confident enough not to hide behind a fusillade of empty notes.

Such maturity is part of what makes his storytelling accompaniments behind master vocalists Tony Bennett and Shirley Horn–and a breathtakingly slow, humid trio treatment of "Georgia"–so richly rewarding. –Chip Stern


Tracklist
1. Jubilee
2. I Get Along Without You Very Well featuring Tony Bennett
3. Rockin' Chair featuring Frank Wess
4. I Walk With Music
5. Two Sleepy People featuring Jim Hall
6. The Nearness of You
7. One Morning In May
8. Blue Orchids featuring Frank Wess
9. Georgia On My Mind
10. Stardust featuring Shirley Horn
11. Skylark

Producer Joel Moss
Engineer Joel Moss
Personnel:
Peter Washington - bass
Bill Charlap - piano
Kenny Washington - drums

Also: Tony Bennett, Frank Wess, Jim Hall, Shirley Horn