Bill Charlap Quartet
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Bill Charlap brings his quartet to Birdland for a late set, with Charlap on piano, Nicole Glover on sax, David Wong on bass and Carl Allen on drums. The New York pianist leads this four-piece band through the evening, putting his piano work in conversation with Glover’s saxophone and the Wong-Allen rhythm section.
Born in New York City, Charlap began playing piano at three. He is known for, in his official bio’s words, “his interpretations of American popular song,” and has performed with Phil Woods, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, Freddy Cole and Houston Person. His parents were Broadway composer Moose Charlap, whose credits include Peter Pan, and singer Sandy Stewart, who toured with Benny Goodman. Reviews of Charlap’s long-running trio have praised his “subtle” ear and “peerless” grasp of arrangement, while The Guardian called its handling of standards “fresh but pertinent.”
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.