Bill Charlap on Tony Bennett: A Jazz Singer's Interactive Art

This episode of Jazz Cruise Conversations features a highly insightful interview between host and renowned jazz radio personality Dick Golden and Grammy Award-winning pianist Bill Charlap, recorded live during The Jazz Cruise 2019.

The core of the conversation focuses on Charlap's profound and multi-faceted collaboration with NEA Jazz Master and American original, Tony Bennett. The discussion is anchored by their critically acclaimed 2017 Jerome Kern tribute CD, The Silver Lining, for which Charlap shared a Grammy Award, and includes tracks from their nominated 2018 album with Diana Krall, Love is Here to Stay.

Charlap reveals the deep mutual respect between himself and Bennett, detailing recording sessions, discussing the essence of jazz singing, and reflecting on the timeless genius of the Great American Songbook composers.

Key Takeaways

• The Definition of a Jazz Singer: Charlap categorizes Tony Bennett as a jazz singer primarily because his art is interactive. Like a member of a rhythm section, Bennett is constantly listening and responding to the accompaniment, making his performance the work of an improviser.
• Bennett's Musical Lineage: Tony Bennett's singing style is a unique blend of "great belcanto Italian singing and jazz singing". Charlap noted that Bennett draws deep inspiration from various sources, including Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and even the emotional honesty found in the singing of Billy Holiday,.
• The Silver Lining Collaboration: The acclaimed Jerome Kern tribute album integrated several formats: Bennett in duet with Charlap, with the full Bill Charlap Trio (Peter Washington and Kenny Washington), and in duo piano settings with Charlap's wife, Renée Rosnes.
• The Maestro of Melody (Kern): Charlap describes Jerome Kern (born 1885) as "the angel at the top of the tree of popular songwriters," noting that other composers looked up to him as the pioneer of the American Popular Song. Kern’s writing was sophisticated yet accessible, exemplified by the complex chromaticism in songs like "All the Things You Are",.
• Spontaneous Creativity in the Studio: Charlap detailed several moments of pure, intense instinct from Bennett during recordings. For the Hoagy Carmichael song "I Get Along Without You Very Well," Bennett picked up and reacted to Charlap’s specific piano voicing, incorporating it into his sung phrase. On Kern's "All the Things You Are," Bennett spontaneously initiated a key change mid-solo, forcing Charlap to accompany him a half-step up and create a "marvelous moment",.
• Bennett's Life Philosophy: Drawing on lessons learned from his mother during his upbringing in Astoria, Queens, Bennett lives with a "permanent enthusiasm". A non-musical lesson Charlap shared was Bennett's belief that singing is not a choice, but a compulsion he "had to sing," a sentiment attributed to Joe Williams,.
• Connection and Humanity: Dick Golden noted Bennett's custom of acknowledging and connecting with all people, regardless of status, such as housekeeping staff in the green room.
• Album Production Trivia: The photography for the The Silver Lining CD jacket, taken in a studio full of mirrors, resulted in a humorous illusion: the images of drummer Kenny Washington and bassist Peter Washington appeared backwards, leading Ron Carter to call Charlap to ask why the rhythm section was set up in reverse.

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• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.