“His approach to the great American songbook is never less than dazzling.” – BBC

“Bill Charlap approaches a song the way a lover approaches his beloved…no matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence.” – Time Magazine

Born into a musical family in New York, Grammy-winning Bill Charlap started playing piano at the age of three and like many pianists he cut his teeth in the classical world but soon fell into jazz and never looked back. Now, as one of the world’s premiere jazz pianists, he has performed with many of great artists of our time, from Phil Woods, Gerry Mulligan and Wynton Marsalis to Tony Bennett, whose recent collaboration with Charlap won them a Grammy for ‘Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album’. He is known for his interpretations of American popular songs and has recorded albums featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin.

In 1997, Charlap formed the Bill Charlap Trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington (no relation), now recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz. The group was tight knit from day one and are now like family to each other.

"We all loved the same kinds of jazz records and have the same basic idea of how a trio should sound," explains Kenny. "And you certainly have to like each other — and we do."

Presented by Cap Jazz Series and The Kay Meek Centre