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. ~ Scott Yanow