Bill Charlap

William Morrison Charlap (born October 15, 1966, pronounced "Shar-Lap" ) is an American jazz pianist and educator. He has recorded more than two dozen albums since the 1990s to 2025.

Early life and education Born in New York City, Charlap is a distant cousin of the jazz pianist Dick Hyman.

Charlap began playing piano at the age of three. In 1995, he joined the Phil Woods Quintet.

In addition to the instrumental jazz recordings that he has released, Charlap has frequently recorded with singers. He recorded Love Is Here to Stay (2004) and Something to Remember (2012) with his mother, Sandy Stewart. In 2016, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, an album featuring Charlap and Tony Bennett, won the award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. As a backing musician, he has recorded with Carol Sloane, Freddie Cole, Barbra Streisand, Diana Krall, and others.

Charlap appears at least twice a year for engagements at jazz clubs, including the Village Vanguard. Since 2001, he has recorded as a member of the studio group New York Trio for the Japanese label Venus Records with bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Bill Stewart.

Charlap succeeded Dick Hyman as artistic director of New York City's 92nd Street Y Jazz in July six-program series after Hyman's 20th year in 2004. He remained director through 2023. He and his wife, Canadian jazz pianist Renee Rosnes, released an album of piano duets Double Portrait on Blue Note Records/EMI.

In 2008, Charlap became part of The Blue Note 7, a septet formed that year in honor of the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records. The group recorded an album in 2008, Mosaic, which was released in 2009 on Blue Note/EMI, and toured the United States in promotion of the album from January to April 2009. The group plays the music of Blue Note Records from various artists, with arrangements by members of the band and his wife Renee Rosnes.

In September 2015, Charlap became the Director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.

Personal life He married the Canadian jazz pianist Renee Rosnes in New York City on August 25, 2007. He has two daughters from a previous marriage and one stepson from Rosnes’ previous marriage to Billy Drummond.

Discography As leader or co-leader

As a member The Blue Note 7 Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records (Blue Note, 2009) – recorded in 2008

Other Blue Note appearances Bill Charlap, Elvis Costello, Hank Jones, Joe Lovano, Dianne Reeves, Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life (Blue Note, 2007) – compositions of Billy Strayhorn

As sideman

With Harry Allen Harry Allen Plays Ellington Songs with the Bill Charlap Trio (RCA Victor, 2000) – recorded in 1999 Blues for Pres and Teddy (Swingbros, 2011)

With Ronnie Bedford Tour de West: Where the Beboppers Roam (Ronnie Bedford, 1998) Just Friends (Progressive Records, recorded live 1993, released 2002)

With Keter Betts Bass Buddies & Blues (Keter Betts Music, 1999) Bass, Buddies, Blues & Beauty Too (Keter Betts Music, 1999) Pinky's Waltz: Keter Betts, Live At Montpelier! (Jazzmont, 2002)

With Ruby Braff You Brought a New Kind of Love (Arbors, 2004) Variety is the Spice of Braff (Arbors, 2002; Charlap plays piano on 6 tracks)

With Jon Gordon Ask Me Now (Criss Cross Jazz, 1994) Spark (Chiaroscuro, 1995) Witness (Criss Cross Jazz, 1996) Evolution (ArtistShare, 2009)

With Conrad Herwig Heart of Darkness (Criss Cross, 1998) Hieroglyphica (Criss Cross Jazz, 2001)

With Jay Leonhart With His Friends (Live At Fat Tuesday's May 13-15, 1993) (DRG Records, 1993) Great Duets (Chiaroscuro, 1999)

With Carol Sloane When I Look in Your Eyes (Concord Jazz, 1994) The Songs Carmen Sang (Concord Jazz, 1995, Phil Woods plays on 7 tracks) The Songs Sinatra Sang (Concord Jazz, 1996, with Frank Wess) The Songs Ella & Louis Sang (Concord Jazz, 1997, with Clark Terry)

With Sean Smith LIVE! (Chiaroscuro, 1999) Poise (Ambient Records, 2001)

With Byron Stripling Stripling Now! (Nagel–Heyer Records, 1999) – recorded 1998 Byron, Get One Free... (Nagel–Heyer, 2001)

With Phil Woods 1996: Mile High Jazz: Live in Denver (Concord Jazz, 1996) 1996: Astor & Elis (Chesky Records, 1996) 1996: Live 1996 (Revelation, 1998) 1997: Chasin' the Bird (Venus, 1998) 1997: Celebration (Concord Jazz, 1997)) 2000: Voyage with the Bill Charlap Trio at the Floating Jazz Festival Aboard the QE2 (Chiaroscuro, 2001) 2002: The Thrill is Gone with strings (Venus, 2003) 2002: The Great American Songbook, Volumes 1 & 2 (Kind of Blue, 2006) 2004: This is How I Feel About Quincy (Jazzed Media, 2004) 2008: Ballads & Blues (Venus Records, 2009)

With others

Tony Bennett & Diana Krall, Love Is Here to Stay (Verve/Columbia, 2018) Tony Bennett, Duets: An American Classic (Columbia, 2006; Charlap plays piano on one track) Gene Bertoncini, Gene Bertoncini with Bill Charlap and Sean Smith (Chiaroscuro, 1998) John Burr, In My Own Words (Cymekob, 1996) Ann Hampton Callaway, Easy Living (Sin-Drome Records, 1999; Charlap plays on 5 tracks) Freddy Cole, Music Maestro Please (HighNote Records, 2007) Dena DeRose, Love's Holiday (Sharp Nine, 2002; Charlap plays piano on one track) Trudy Desmond, Make Me Rainbows (Koch, 1995) Johnny Frigo, Johnny Frigo's DNA Exposed! (Arbors, 2001) Steve Gilmore, Reflections In The Night (JazzMania Records, 1996) Scott Hamilton, Back to New York (Concord Jazz, 2005) Mary Cleere Haran, This Funny World: Mary Cleere Haran Sings Lyrics by Hart (Concord Theatricals, 1994; Charlap plays piano on 7 tracks) Barbara Lea / Bob Dorough / Dick Sudhalter, Hoagy's Children - Songs Of Hoagy Carmichael Volume One and Volume Two (Audiophile, 1994) Kevin Lutke, Fallen Wood (Ampersand Records, 1996) Brian Lynch, Brian Lynch Meets Bill Charlap (Sharp Nine, 2003) Wynton Marsalis, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis – Cast Of Cats (DMX Music, 2004) – recorded 2003 Marian McPartland, An NPR Jazz Christmas With Marian McPartland And Friends II (NPR Classics, 2002) Marian McPartland, Marian McPartland & Friends: 85 Candles, Live in New York (Concord Jazz, 2005; Charlap plays piano on 3 tracks) Marian McPartland, An NPR Jazz Christmas With Marian McPartland And Friends III (NPR Classics, 2006) Gerry Mulligan, Lonesome Boulevard (Verve, 1990) Houston Person, The Art and Soul of Houston Person (HighNote, 2008; Charlap plays piano on 3 tracks) Tim Ries, The Rolling Stones Project (Concord, 2005) the Joe Roccisano Orchestra, Leave Your Mind Behind (Landmark, 1995) Joe Roccisano, Nonet (Double-Time Records, 1998) – recorded in 1997 Charles Russo, Clarinet Alla Cinema (Premier Recordings, 1998) Randy Sandke, Trumpet After Dark (Evening Star, 2005) Gary Smulyan, Blue Suite (Criss Cross Jazz, 1999) Marvin Stamm, Mystery Man (MusicMasters, 1993) Steely Dan, Everything Must Go (Reprise, 2003; Charlap plays Fender Rhodes on one track and acoustic piano on another) Grant Stewart, Grant Stewart + 4 (VideoArts, 2005) – recorded in 2004 Sandy Stewart, Sandy Stewart and Family (Cabaret, 1994; Charlap is arranger and plays piano) - recorded in 1993 Barbra Streisand, Love Is the Answer (album) (Columbia, 2009; Charlap plays only on a bonus track: "You Must Believe in Spring") Harvie S, Too Late Now (Ward, 2010) - recorded in 1988 Warren Vaché, Dream Dancing (Arbors, 2004) – recorded in 2003 Paula West, Come What May (Hi Horse, 2001; Charlap plays piano on 3 tracks) Joe Wilder, Among Friends (Evening Star, 2003) David Yazbek, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (musical) (Ghostlight Records, 2005)