Pianist Bill Churlap Makes Maverick Debut, 8/13

Jazz at the Maverick continues at Woodstock's rustic concert hall in the woods with an evening of solo jazz featuring pianist Bill Charlap on Saturday, August 13, at 8:00 p.m.

Bill Charlap is one of the world's premier jazz pianists, and has performed with many leading artists, from Phil Woods and Tony Bennett to Gerry Mulligan and Wynton Marsalis. He is especially well known for his interpretations of American popular songs, and has recorded albums featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein, and George Gershwin. Time magazine wrote, "Bill Charlap approaches a song the way a lover approaches his beloved...no matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence."

As the definition of chamber music broadens, the Maverick roster has included folk and world music as well as jazz, as the definition of chamber music broadens to include nontraditional music. This year, Maverick's 96th, the festival has strengthened its commitment to the jazz idiom with concerts over three consecutive Saturdays in August. The next concert will be with jazz pianist Uri Caine on August 20. With an 8:00 p.m. curtain, concertgoers can plan for a festive night out -- not just an early-evening, pre- or after-dinner diversion, but a night of really great jazz in the woods!

Bill Charlap was born in New York City to a musical household and began playing the piano at age three. His father wrote the music for Peter Pan and his mother, Sandy Stewart, was a Grammy-nominated vocalist. He has received two Grammy nominations, and served as the musical director for New York's JVC Jazz Festival. He has produced several concerts for Jazz at Lincoln Center and an evening of George Gershwin's music at The Hollywood Bowl.

Maverick Concerts is the oldest continuous summer chamber music festival in America and a winner of the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming. Built by Maverick Art Colony founder Hervey White, Maverick Concert Hall first opened its doors to music lovers in 1916. The rustic hall is located at 120 Maverick Road, Woodstock, N.Y. 12498. With acoustics ideally suited to the intimacy of live chamber music performance, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For additional details, including a schedule of concerts, ticket prices, and seating information, visit www.maverickconcerts.org or call Maverick's recorded message line at 845-679-8217.

Photo Credit: Carol Friedman

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