As We Are Now is another wonderful session from pianist Renee Rosnes, finding her nativgating a challenging set of six original compositions and three covers. Rosnes is supported by drummer Jack DeJohnette, bassist Christian McBride and saxophonist Chris Potter, an impressive lineup that alows Rosnes to stretch her limits….

Pianist Renee Rosnes ends a two-year recording lull with Life on Earth, a set of mostly original tunes with a world music flavor. There’s quite a bit — maybe too much — going on here, as Rosnes introduces new sonic elements and personnel to differentiate each track. Thus, “Empress…

It is unusual to hear a son and his mother record together in a jazz setting, but this collection of ballads by Bill Charlap and Sandy Stewart is a stunning duo date. Charlap is best known as the leader of a superb piano trio, along with having worked extensively…

Bill Charlap, a versatile pianist based in swing who is also a longtime member of the Phil Woods Quintet, pays tribute to the great George Gershwin throughout this likable set. Although some of the ten Gershwin songs are slightly modernized, the music is very much in the tradition. There…

Though his debut on record occurred only eight years prior to Stardust, pianist Bill Charlap has become well known for his lush, poignant reading of the standards. On his second date for Blue Note, Charlap and his rhythm section lovingly re-create 11 songs by songster Hoagy Carmichael, and are…

This is the sort of album that gives the mainstream a good name. It’s wonderfully recorded, especially at the low end of the spectrum: Peter Washington’s bass and Kenny Washington’s kick drum speak with authority yet never overwhelm Charlap’s piano. The trio’s approach is distinctive, marked by tight and…

Pianists Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes married in 2007, so the had plenty of time to practice for this duo piano date, since they have twin grand pianos in their apartment and have played a few gigs together as well. Both of them have long résumés as leaders and…

Some 13 years into his recording career, jazz pianist extraordinaire Bill Charlap‘s first live album is, perhaps, his most exquisite release to date. While virtually all of his studio albums more than adequately showcase Charlap‘s virtuosity, good taste, and ceaseless imagination at the keys, it took the spontaneity of the live…

Similar to 2000’s Hoagy Carmichael-based Stardust, Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein finds pianist Bill Charlap continuing his exploration of great American composers. A longtime fan of Bernstein’s work, Charlap conveys a very personal feeling throughout the album. Some may ask, why is another jazz trio album of standards…

Shim’s extraordinary sophomore outing maintains its razor-sharp focus from beginning to end. The young tenorman’s compositions are ceaselessly inventive; his band is ferocious yet subtle. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, another Blue Note rising star, joins Shim on several of the tracks, pulling off a burning marimba solo on “Survival Tactics.”…