On July 18, 2024, at Smoke Jazz Club, Bill Charlap delivered a solo performance that was both intimate and masterful. Opening with the rare Harry Warren composition "There Is No Music," Charlap's crystalline touch set the tone for an evening steeped in the Great American Songbook. He seamlessly transitioned into "The More I See You," a medium-tempo piece that showcased his nuanced phrasing and included a sly quote from Gerry Mulligan's "Venus De Milo." (jazzhistoryonline.com)
This solo engagement was part of a series at Smoke, where Charlap performed from July 17 to 21, 2024. His solo outings in New York City are rare and highly anticipated events, as noted by Downbeat, which described them as "a true event" where he applies "his expansive outlook and encyclopedic knowledge to the demands of the solo format with as much rigor as he does to his other endeavors." (allaboutjazz.com)
The performance took place on a warm summer evening in New York City, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C (86°F). Charlap's choice of a nine-foot Steinway Concert D piano at Smoke's intimate setting provided a rich, resonant sound that enveloped the attentive audience. (jazzhistoryonline.com)
Sources
- Bill Charlap at Smoke Jazz Club
- CONCERT JOURNAL: FIVE DAYS IN NEW YORK, JULY 2024 - Jazz History Online
- Smoke Jazz Club to Present Piano-Packed Month Of July Featuring Ethan Iverson, Bill Charlap And More
- JazzStream Playlist, July 18, 2024 - capradio.org
- Bill Charlap - Performances
- Bill Charlap Trio Average Setlists of year: 2024 | setlist.fm
- Bill Charlap, solo @ Rochester International Jazz Festival, Eastman School of Music, Hatch Recital Hall - Jun 25, 2024
Personnel