Bill Charlap News

Centenary Stage Company continues its annual January Thaw Music Festival with Diego Figueiredo and Ken Peplowski: The Bossa Nova Wave. The performance will take place at the Lackland Performing Arts Center on Saturday, January 18th @ 8:00 pm.

Throughout its extensive history, the Highlights In Jazz series has made a practice of presenting a spectrum of the most beloved and admired jazz players on the scene. The upcoming 2020 season is no exception, with the exciting four-concert series bringing together stellar musicians including Jimmy Cobb, Jay Leonhart, Bernard Purdie, Art Baron, Russell Malone and others. Count on hearing unforgettable performances from Wycliffe Gordon, Peter and Will Anderson, Victor Lewis, Eddie Daniels, joined by an array of greats.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

Birdland's December 2019 schedule will feature The Joe Lovano Nonet, Stacey Kent, Monty Alexander, A Swinging Birdland Christmas, Freddy Cole Quartet, Gunhild Carling, Julius Rodriguez, Veronica Swift Holiday Show, 'Season's Swingin' Greetings!a??, Marta Sanchez Quintet, Darius de Haas, Marilyn Maye New Years Eve Extravaganza, The Lineup with Susie Mosher, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and MORE!

On Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 8:00 p.m., jazz supergroup Artemis make their Carnegie Hall debut in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Each renowned for their outstanding solo work, these powerhouse musicians including Cécile McLorin Salvant (Vocals), Renee Rosnes (Music Director and Piano), Anat Cohen (Clarinet and Bass Clarinet), Melissa Aldana (Tenor Saxophone), Ingrid Jensen (Trumpet), Noriko Ueda (Bass), and Allison Miller (Drums) captivate audiences with bold new arrangements of classics by The Beatles to Thelonious Monk, as well as strikingly original compositions by the group's members.

Cabaret lovers will have many memories from the Mabel Mercer Foundation's 2019 New York Cabaret Convention. Attendees to all four of the presentations at Rose Theater will no doubt have their favorite music moments from the performances of the more than 75 cabaret artists. However, perhaps the most enduring remembrance will be the remarkable organizational abilities and intelligence of the foundations artistic director, it's face (and hat) of the convention… KT Sullivan. Just imagine how difficult it must be to satisfy the requirements of 75 singers, make their moment in the spotlight as successful as it can be, and cope with the egos that are a necessary part of every performers DNA. All the while fulfilling the sophisticated and knowledgeable audience's expectations of a great show. There were many highs and “almost highs” during the 12 hours of music, and that's what makes it so exciting. Every artist brings their own unique talent to the stage.

Jazz all-stars salute one of their own a?" the late piano legend and influential music educator Harold Mabern a?" in Giants of Jazz 22 Honoring Harold Mabern, a concert celebration of his life and craft on Saturday, November 16 at 8 p.m.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center presents Conversations in Concert: Celebrating the Theatre Songs of Leonard Bernstein on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

I don't know if Benny Goodman “The King of Swing” ever performed at the original Birdland on Broadway at 52nd Street which was more known for the Bebop Jazz of Charlie Parker. However, his music was gloriously celebrated last night by John Pizzarelli and his special guest Clarinetist Ken Peplowski at the current Birdland on 44th Street. The link to the past was firmly established by the extraordinary artistry of Pizzarelli and Peplowski as they toured the Benny Goodman Songbook. The link was also established by the many stories both had about Benny Goodman. Ken Peplowski played in Benny's last band, and John's father Bucky was also was a featured guitarist with Goodman. In fact as John in his “Bucky Voice” recounted a funny story, when he was a youngster tagging along with Bucky John even got to strum a few notes for Benny Goodman until Bucky said “come on kid we gotta get home”! It was all smiles and happy swing music last night as John Pizzarelli and his trio with Ken Peplowski filled Birdland with great music and great conversation. The tradition of exceptional music continues at 'The Jazz Corner of The World”

On June 1, 2019 the State Theatre New Jersey Benefit Gala-featuring an intimate performance by Tony and Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianist Bill Charlap-celebrated the State Theatre's opening  almost 100 years ago with a Roaring Twenties theme. Proceeds from the Benefit Gala support State Theatre New Jersey's acclaimed artistic and educational programs.

JOHN MILLER - the singer, bassist and Broadway Music Coordinator - will release a special 10th Anniversary Edition of his acclaimed album Stage Door Johnny: John Miller - Takes on Broadway on June 21, 2019. Stage Door Johnny is a witty and unconventional interpretation of a dozen familiar Broadway songs, filtered through Miller's understated performance style that evokes such diverse artists as James Taylor, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Kenny Rankin. Stage Door Johnny will be available on all digital and streaming platforms.

State Theatre New Jersey will honor MetLife and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. at the 2019 State Theatre Benefit Gala on Saturday, June 1, 2019 featuring Tony and Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianist Bill Charlap.

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival's 2019 season features a diverse array of world-class artists presenting programs spanning multiple genres, and offers first-time and veteran concertgoers alike the chance to experience the intimate thrill of a live performance.

State Theatre New Jersey will host its 2019 Benefit Gala on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Featuring an intimate performance by Tony and Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianistBill Charlap, this year's Gala will transport attendees to the dazzling and decadent world of the Roaring Twenties. Gala tickets are $700.

Lauded jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, accompanied by THE MEMPHIS SOULPHONY, will be bringing her latest show MEMPHIS: YES, I'M READY, based on her latest musical release Memphis: Yes, I'm Ready to The Wallis for one night only March 23, 2019. The most warm and delightful Ms. Bridgewater managed to entertain and enlightened me on the phone for an informative, heartfelt forty-five minutes.

Each year, savvy jazz fans look forward to the annual Highlights In Jazz series. For almost a half century, the Jack Kleinsinger-produced events have brought together a multitude of beloved jazz musicians spanning an eclectic mix of generations and styles. The 2019 season is no exception, with four stellar concerts featuring some of the brightest luminaries in jazz today.

Each year, savvy jazz fans look forward to the annual Highlights In Jazz series. For almost a half century, the Jack Kleinsinger-produced events have brought together a multitude of beloved jazz musicians spanning an eclectic mix of generations and styles. The 2019 season is no exception, with four stellar concerts featuring some of the brightest luminaries in jazz today.

The Nashville Symphony has announced the lineup for its 2019/20 season, which kicks off in September and features an extensive variety of classical, pops, jazz and family concerts, including top-flight guest artists, film favorites with live orchestral accompaniment, unique speaker events and much more. At the heart of this concert programming, Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero will lead the orchestra in its flagship Classical Series, which includes everything from masterworks by Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Berlioz and Beethoven to boundary-pushing contemporary American works.

The 47th season of Highlights In Jazz kicks off with an all-star concert featuring pianist/vocalist Daryl Sherman, saxophonist Houston Person, trumpeter Warren Vaché, clarinetist/saxophonist Ken Peplowski, pianist Norman Simmons, bassist Boots Maleson, and guitarist James Chirillo, plus a special surprise guest.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts: