Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes: Double Portrait

Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes: Double Portrait

By Dan Bilawsky
January 4, 2011
View read count

Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes: Double Portrait

Many people believe that married couples have a telepathic connection. This recording puts that theory to the test, with two of the most important pianists in jazz today—who also happen to be husband and wife—sitting down for a duo piano recital.

Charlap's own work with drummer

Kenny Washington

drums
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Washington and bassist

Peter Washington

bass
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Washington has positioned him as one of the key voices in the piano trio format. His selection of standards and exquisite, classy recording projects have given him status as an arbiter of taste within the jazz world. While these aspects of his playing are Charlap's calling card, Rosnes is often lauded for two very different sides of her personality. Many in the jazz community have appreciated her ability to uphold the traditions of jazz, backing legends like

J.J. Johnson

trombone
1924 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">J.J. Johnson,

James Moody

woodwinds
1925 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">James Moody and

Bobby Hutcherson

vibraphone
1941 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Hutcherson since arriving Stateside in the mid-'80s, while another segment of the jazz listening public revels in her more adventurous exploits on her own recordings and with the

SFJAZZ Collective

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.2004

" data-original-title="" title="">SFJAZZ Collective.

Neither pianist compromises their artistic inclinations on Double Portrait, instead merging effortlessly to create a tapestry of refined and tasteful statements. Both players balance a sensitive touch with deeply probing and responsive ideas. Song choices here make sly, joking reference to their personal connection ("Never Will I Marry"), nod toward former Rosnes employers

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson ("Inner Urge") and

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter ("Ana Maria"), and touch on standards ("Dancing In The Dark" and "My Man's Gone Now").

While every track is first-rate, the second half of the program posses greater heat and energy. The album opens with two Latin leaning compositions—

Lyle Mays

keyboards
1953 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Lyle Mays' "Chorinho" and

Antonio Carlos Jobim

piano
1927 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Double Rainbow"—and both pianists lock in well together, but don't seem to be completely engaged with the material. This all changes when the pair arrives at "Ana Maria," a nine-minute performance that's almost too short, with both players digging deeper, and exploring the open expanse of Shorter's composition. The duo arrives at a loose and appropriately dark place for "My Man's Gone Now," and they swing as well or better than any sans-rhythm section pair on "Dancing In The Dark." Pent-up intensity is present on their first rate take of "Inner Urge," while

Gerry Mulligan

saxophone, baritone
1927 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerry Mulligan's under-performed "Little Glory" is all class.

Charlap and Rosnes deserve all the happiness in the world for finding each other—personally and artistically—and the jazz community gets a little glimpse of this match made in heaven on Double Portrait.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Chorinho; Double Rainbow (Chovendo Na Roseira); Ana Maria; The Saros Cycle; My Man's Gone Now; Dancing In The Dark; Inner Urge; Little Glory; Never Will I Marry.

Personnel

Bill Charlap

piano

Bill Charlap: piano; Renee Rosnes: piano.

Album information

Title: Double Portrait | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Blue Note Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Angels & Satellites
< Previous

Jane Monheit: Finding the Way Back H...
Next >

Bill Charlap Concerts

Sep 24 Wed

Bill Charlap

Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club
Portsmouth, NH

Sep 25 Thu

Bill Charlap Trio

The Side Door Jazz Club
Old Lyme, CT

Sep 26 Fri

Bill Charlap Trio

The Side Door Jazz Club
Old Lyme, CT

Sep 27 Sat

Bill Charlap Trio

The Side Door Jazz Club
Old Lyme, CT

Sep 28 Sun

Bill Charlap Trio

The Side Door Jazz Club
Old Lyme, CT

Oct 22 Wed

Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN

Oct 22 Wed

Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN

Nov 1 Sat

Bill Charlap

Regattabar
Cambridge, MA

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.