Bill Charlap Quartet
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Bill Charlap brings his quartet to Birdland for an early-evening set. The Grammy-winning pianist will be joined by David Wong on bass, Carl Allen on drums, and saxophonist Nicole Glover. It is a compact four-piece setting that puts Charlap’s piano alongside a seasoned rhythm section and saxophone voice, with the set framed for Birdland’s close-listening room.
Charlap was born in New York City and began playing piano at three. He comes from a musical family: his father was Broadway composer Moose Charlap, whose credits include Peter Pan, and his mother, singer Sandy Stewart, toured with Benny Goodman, appeared regularly on The Perry Como Show, and received a 1963 Grammy nomination for “My Coloring Book.” Charlap and Stewart released the acclaimed Love Is Here To Stay on Blue Note in 2005. Across his career, Charlap has performed with Phil Woods, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, Freddy Cole, and Houston Person.
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.