Similar to 2000's
Hoagy Carmichael-based
Stardust,
Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein finds pianist
Bill Charlap continuing his exploration of great American composers. A longtime fan of
Bernstein's work,
Charlap conveys a very personal feeling throughout the album. Some may ask, why is another jazz trio album of standards necessary?
Charlap answers this admirably with highly sophisticated yet direct arrangements and his usual stellar improvisational skills. Many of the songs from West Side Story work astonishingly well in a modern jazz format. Notably, "America" receives an expansive
McCoy Tyner meets
Tito Puente treatment, while "Jump" is serious post-bop
Raymond Scott. Joining
Charlap are his longtime collaborators bassist
Peter Washington and drummer
Kenny Washington. Together, the trio showcase an uncanny sense of timing and group interplay that only comes from years of performing together. ~ Matt Collar