Charlap, Bill
Blue Note, 2005, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 11.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 5
Score: 
O’s Notes: Not many will argue the strength of George Gershwin’s songbook. Pianist Bill Charlap assembles a trio including Peter Washington (b) and Kenny Washington (d). They work up a fervor on “Liza” with each of them burning! Add the brass: Phil Woods (as), Frank Wess (ts), Nicholas Payton (t) and Slide Hampton (tb) and you have an excellent set of musicians, experienced pros who play confidently and with a soft passion that resonates well on “How Long Has This Been Going On”. These are just a couple of the many strong selections, 3 as a trio + 7 as a septet. The combination works exceptionally well.