Bill Charlap Quartet
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Bill Charlap brings his quartet to Birdland for an evening built around piano, saxophone, bass and drums. Charlap is joined by Nicole Glover on saxophone, David Wong on bass and Carl Allen on drums. The group gives Charlap's command of American popular song and standards a four-player setting, with the saxophone adding another melodic voice to a rhythm team of Wong and Allen.
Born in New York City, Charlap began playing piano at three. The Grammy-winning pianist has performed with Phil Woods, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, Freddy Cole and Houston Person. He is the son of Broadway composer Moose Charlap and singer Sandy Stewart, with whom he released the 2005 Blue Note album Love Is Here To Stay. Time said Charlap “zeroes in on [a song’s] essence,” even when his approach is imaginative. Reviewing his trio, The Guardian called the effect “just perfect” and found familiar standards given “fresh but pertinent treatments”; the BBC praised his “subtle” ear and “peerless” grasp of arrangement in mainstream jazz.
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.