Bill Charlap - 2005 - plays George Gershwin: The American Soul

Bill Charlap, a versatile pianist based in swing who is also a longtime member of the Phil Woods Quintet, pays tribute to the great George Gershwin throughout this likable set. Although some of the ten Gershwin songs are slightly modernized, the music is very much in the tradition. There are up to four horns on some numbers, with the best individual moments coming from veteran tenor Frank Wess on "How Long Has This Been Going On" (sounding a bit like Paul Gonsalves), trombonist Slide Hampton on "A Foggy Day," and altoist Woods whenever he plays. Charlap's longtime trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington is featured on "Who Cares?," and Charlap takes the brief closing "Soon" as an unaccompanied solo. Nothing all that revolutionary or revelatory occurs but the music is pleasing overall, swinging and creative within its boundaries. (AllMusic)

Track list:
01 - Who Cares 
02 - Somebody Loves Me
03 - Liza
04 - How Long Has This Been Going
05 - A Foggy Day
06 - 'S Wonderful
07 - I Was So Young
08 - Bess, You Is My Woman Now
09 - Nice Work If You Can Get It
10 - Soon

Personnel:
Bill Charlap: piano
Peter Washington: bass
Kenny Washington: drums
Nicholas Payton: trumpet
Slide Hampton: trombone
Phil Woods: alto saxophone
Frank Wess: tenor saxophone

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