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Bill Charlap Trio: Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein
ByCharlap, son of singer Sandy Stewart, who toured with Benny Goodman and the late composer Moose Charlap, who wrote much of the music for Broadway’s Peter Pan in the ‘50s, grew up to the accompaniment of show tunes, and his attraction to and love for the genre have been apparent throughout his career. Charlap’s prodigious technique allows him to play anything his muse imagines, and his creativity, lyricism, and the rapport he shares with the Washingtons, both superb jazz musicians in their own right, combine to make this one of the premier trios working today.
The album is nicely paced, with dash and spice from the West Side Story selections (the edgy “Cool,” frenetic “Jump,” and rhythmically intoxicating “America”) interspersed with lush ballads (“Lonely Town,” “Some Other Time,” and “Somewhere”). “Lucky to Be Me” swings gently; “It’s Love” is brisk and up-tempo (listen for the “Polkadots and Moonbeams” quote); the harmonically quirky “Glitter and Be Gay” (at 7 ½ minutes, the longest selection) is pensive and poignant; “Ohio,” wry, bluesy and nostalgic; the lovely waltz “A Quiet Girl,” much too brief. The trio plays with such taste, nuance and sensitivity to Bernstein’s intent that one can almost hear the lyrics, as each selection is played.
It’s a “piece o’ cake” to say that Somewhere is the next jewel in Bill Charlap’s crown, and to predict that this 37-year-old has as bright a future as any pianist on the jazz spectrum.
Track Listing
Cool; Lucky to Be Me; It
Personnel
Bill Charlap
pianoBill Charlap (piano), Peter Washington (bass), and Kenny Washington (drums)
Album information
Title: Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Blue Note Records
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Bill Charlap Trio
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Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein