Bill Charlap Quartet
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Bill Charlap brings his quartet to Birdland for this late set, with Charlap on piano, Nicole Glover on tenor saxophone, David Wong on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. The engagement runs at the club from January 5 through 9, with this performance closing the run. Expect a four-player jazz setting rather than the piano-trio format often associated with Charlap, with saxophone joining the piano, bass and drums lineup.
Born in New York City, Charlap began playing piano at three. He comes from a musical family: his father, Moose Charlap, was the Broadway composer behind Peter Pan, while his mother, singer Sandy Stewart, toured with Benny Goodman and was a regular on The Perry Como Show. Charlap has performed with Phil Woods, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, Freddy Cole and Houston Person. In 2005, he and Stewart released Love Is Here To Stay on Blue Note. A review of Charlap’s trio described his playing as having “rich cinematic grace, and delicacy,” calling him “a virtuoso with full command of his musical voice on the piano.”
Birdland offers a refined jazz experience in a room where the audience sits at tables close to the stage, allowing every note to reach you clearly. The venue features a full menu with dishes like New Orleans-style gumbo alongside a well-stocked bar, making it easy to enjoy a meal or drinks while listening. Each show is ticketed per set, encouraging focused listening as the music unfolds in roughly 45-minute segments. The club’s walls echo decades of jazz history, having hosted legends and continuing to attract top contemporary artists. Located in Manhattan’s Theater District, the space balances a serious music environment with the energy of a night out, where attentive audiences savor the performances without distraction. Booking ahead is essential, as the club fills quickly for its celebrated lineup.