3 Trios Live This Weekend

Bill Charlap, son of vocalist Sandy Stewart and composer Mark "Moose" Charlap (best known for writing the music for the Broadway production of "Peter Pan"), is one of the most articulate pianists on the contemporary jazz scene.  In 1997, he formed a Trio with Kenny Washington (bass) and Peter Washington (drums) and has recorded 6 albums with them, everything from the songs of Leonard Bernstein to George Gershwin and many standards.  (It should be noted that the pianist records for Japan's Venus Records with bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Bill Stewart with a similar repertoire.)  He has also released 2 CDs with his Mother plus 1 with his wife, fellow pianist Renee Rosnes. He has such a lovely touch, his ballad work second-to-none, plus he can swing with the best of them.

Bill Charlap and the Washingtons (they are not related by blood but by their mastery) come to The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme this Friday (3/13). If you love piano trios, do not miss the opportunity to see and hear this ensemble in action.  Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the first set at 8:30.
For more information, go to thesidedoorjazz.com or call 860-434-0886.

On Saturday, The Side Door welcomes the Bobby Broom Trio.  Broom, a native of New York City, has performed with saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Stanley Turpentine as well as with Dr. John but has been touring with his own group for several decades.  He's recorded for Criss Cross and Premonition Records but, since 2007's "Song and Dance", he has been on Seattle's Origin Records (he also created the Deep Blue Organ Trio, an ensemble with 2 recordings on Origin, but they disbanded 2 years ago).

His Trio includes long-time associate Dennis Carroll on bass and new member Greg Artry on drums.  Their material covers lots of musical territory; lately, the group has been focussing on the work of great guitarists such as Kenny Burrell.  Call the number above for ticket reservations.

Keyboard artist Brian Charette, who hails from Meriden, CT, will be close to home this Saturday night (3/14) when he brings his Mighty Grinders trio to the 9th Note Jazz Supper Club, 56 Orange Street in New Haven.  Charette is a wonderful organist who started out as a pianist but, upon moving to New York City, discovered he could get more gigs as an organist.  So, he bought a Hammond and locked himself in his apartment until he had figured out the instrument; now, he is one of the most in-demand players on the scene.  Besides the Grinders - guitarist Will Bernard and drummer Eric Kalb - Charette leads his Organ Sextette, an ensemble with organ, drums and 4 reed players.  His most recent CDs are on Posi-Tone Records (2014's "Square One" is highly recommended) and on Steeplechase (there are 2 CDs by the Sextette plus a solo date and a Trio CD).

To find out more about the organist and his music, go to www.briancharette.com.   For reservations to the gig, call the 9th Note at 203-691-9918.  You can also check them out at www.the9thnote.com.