Charlap is easy to overlook or take for granted because obviously he's travelling down a very well-trod path and competing directly with about 60 years of tradition (if you take the Evans/Lafaro/Motian trio as the starting point of post-bebop/post-1950s trio playing). But his trio with Peter Washington and Kenny Washington, imho, will be a touchstone for future generations of jazz fans and players. I'd happily live without 10-15 of the post-humous Bill Evans CDs, or without a few of the Jarrett standards trio CDs, if I could just get a couple of more well-recorded live sessions from the Charlap trio.
one of my recent instructors, who helped me find excercises and a practice routine to suit my level and needs, fantastic organist/ pianist, Jean Yves Jung, told me my playing reminded him of Bill Charlap's. I didnt know Charlap's playing at the time; didn't realize what a great compliment he had given me. "merci beaucoup, mon professeur tres utile"
I had no idea... as I Luv Renee Rosnes playing...... I grew up in LA & spent decades frequenting LA piano bars & Jazz supper clubs all over LA & LA's SFV & LA had many back in the day
