92Y Jazz In July Festival Announces 2015 Program

92nd Street Y announces the 31st Annual 92Y Jazz in July Festival, curated by Bill Charlap, who begins his second decade as artistic director of the time-honored annual Festival. Jazz in July runs from Tuesday, July 21 through Thursday, July 30, bringing together some of the world's finest jazz players for specially designed performances. Programming for this year's festival features a highly anticipated return visit from vocalist Ernie Andrews in a program entitled Duke Ellington: Drop Me Off In Harlem. The Broadway themed program Jazz & Sondheim, Side By Side, will showcase vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway and saxophonist Steve Wilson in performance with Grammy® Award-nominated drummer/composer, Matt Wilson.

One of the world's premier jazz pianists, Bill Charlap has performed and recorded with many of the leading jazz artists of our time. With his longtime trio of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, he has released seven highly-acclaimed albums for the Blue Note label, including the GRAMMY® Award-nominated albums The Bill Charlap Trio - Live at the Village Vanguard and Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein. In 2010, Charlap released Double Portrait, a collaboration with his wife, the celebrated jazz pianist Renee Rosnes, recorded at 92nd Street Y. He has also released two CDs with his mother, the renowned Sandy Stewart: Love Is Here to Stay and Something to Remember.

Charlap curates 92Y Jazz in July in collaboration with Hanna Arie-Gaifman, Director of 92Y Tisch Center for the Arts, which produces 92Y's concert series, including Jazz in July.

92Y Jazz In July 2015 Schedule:

Tue, Jul 21, 8 pm

BILL & DICK's ALL STAR JAZZ PARTY

Two generations of jazz - piano titan Dick Hyman and heir to the throne Bill Charlap, plus clarinet superstar Anat Cohen - blaze through American Songbook classics and swing standards.

Bill Charlap's New York Trio: Bill Charlap, piano / Jay Leonhart, bass / Bill Stewart, drums

Dick Hyman Trio: Dick Hyman, piano / Howard Alden, guitar / Jay Leonhart, bass / with special guest Anat Cohen, clarinet

Wed, Jul 22, 8 pm

DUKE ELLINGTON: DROP ME OFF IN HARLEM

"It Don't Mean a Thing," "Prelude to a Kiss," and "Sophisticated Lady" - Edward Kennedy Ellington was American music royalty. Now another member of the jazz aristocracy, legendary vocalist Ernie Andrews, makes a rare New York appearance to put his stamp on these timeless tunes. The soulful sounds of Houston Person's tenor sax, plus vibes virtuoso Steve Nelson make it jazz heaven.

Ernie Andrews, vocals / Bill Charlap, piano / Renee Rosnes, piano / Houston Person, tenor saxophone / Jeremy Pelt, trumpet / Steve Nelson, vibes / Peter Washington, bass / Kenny Washington, drums

Thu, Jul 23, 8 pm

THE PIANO MEN: FROM JELLY ROLL TO OSCAR

Jelly Roll Morton claimed he "invented" jazz. True? Well, he and other keyboard giants-from ragtime pioneer Scott Joplin to swinging virtuoso Oscar Peterson-enriched the form like nobody else. Hear their syncopated stylings come alive in the lightning hands of modern-day piano greats Bill Charlap, Marcus Roberts and Jeb Patton.

Bill Charlap, piano / Marcus Roberts, piano / Jeb Patton, piano / Todd Coolman, bass / Willie Jones III, drums

Tue, Jul 28, 8 pm

SWING A SONG OF SINATRA

No one sang like Sinatra, and no one sings Sinatra like Kurt Elling. Celebrate Ol' Blue Eyes' centenary with this superstar Grammy® Award-winning vocalist - and a band that boasts Benny Goodman veteran Warren Vaché on cornet.

Kurt Elling, vocals / Bill Charlap, piano / Harry Allen, tenor saxophone / Warren Vaché, cornet /

Peter Washington, bass / Kenny Washington, drums

Wed, Jul 29, 8 pm

JAZZ & SONDHEIM, SIDE BY SIDE

Piano duo Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes' offer up stunning jazz treatments of Sondheim's masterpieces from groundbreaking shows like Company, Follies and Sweeney Todd. This is a night for both theater and jazz fans, with the dynamic voice of Ann Hampton Callaway and a soaring string ensemble to bring out the beauty of Broadway's best.

Bill Charlap, piano / Ann Hampton Callaway, vocals / Steve Wilson, alto & soprano saxophone / Renee Rosnes, piano / Sean Smith, bass / Matt Wilson, drums / String Ensemble TBA

Thu, Jul 30, 8 pm

BENNY, BASIE & BUCKY!

Guitar icon Bucky Pizzarelli, clarinet marvel Ken Peplowski and ace drummer Dennis Mackrel are the living personification of the swinging legacies of Count Basie and Benny Goodman. The stars come out to finish the festival with a big bang.

Bill Charlap, piano / Sandy Stewart, vocals / Ken Peplowski, clarinet / Randy Sandke, trumpet / Joe Locke, vibes Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar / Jay Leonhart, bass / Dennis Mackrel, drums

ABOUT JAZZ IN JULY

This annual summer jazz festival, directed by pianist Bill Charlap, brings together some of the world's best jazz musicians for once-in-a-lifetime performances at 92nd Street Y. Recent Festival shows have explored be-bop and Latin jazz; celebrated jazz legend Jimmy Heath and former artistic director Dick Hyman; and sampled the work of great composers, from Cole Porter to Thelonious Monk. Recent line-ups have featured jazz greats Ray Bryant, Barry Harris, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, Trio Da Paz, and Frank Wess.