Critics have described Bill Charlap’s style variously as hard swinging, romantic or rigorous, but his musical roots can be found in a childhood home filled with songs and songwriters. His father, Moose Charlap, was a Broadway composer, known especially for his work on Peter Pan. His mother, Sandy Stewart, is a singer who, forty years ago, had a hit with the Kander and Ebb ballad, 'My Coloring Book.' Houseguests often included legendary figures from the great American songbook. Mr. Charlap attended the New York High School of Performing Arts (of Fame fame) and studied with jazz pianist Jack Reilly, classical pianist Eleanor Hancock, and jazz great (and distant cousin) Dick Hyman. He has been influenced, he claims, by every musician he has ever worked with, including the members of his current trio, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington (no relation). The list includes such stellar jazz artists as Benny Carter, Clark Terry, Jim Hall, Frank Wess, Grady Tate, Phil Woods and Tony Bennett.

Scranton Community Concerts’ presentation of the Bill Charlap Trio is sponsored in part by Gentex Corporation, Pennstar Bank, Keystone College, Lackawanna College, and the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. Tickets are $25 for the 8:00 p.m. performance. This will be the final concert of the 2005-2006 season, and announcement of the 2006-2007 season of artists will be made that evening, allowing concert-goers to subscribe at a special early bird rate.