New York Trio - Essential Best (2009)

The New York Trio features three gifted musicians, pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Bill Stewart. In 2001, Charlap, Leonhart, and Stewart came together in The Studio, New York City to record a straight-ahead, post-bop style "Blues In The Night" for the Japanese Venus Jazz label. The album was well-received by classic jazz fans. From there similar album collections have been recorded: The Things We Did Last Summer (2002), Love You Madly (2003), Stairway To The Stars (2004), Begin The Beguine (2005), Thou Swell (2006) and Always (2007). For this "Essential Best" the trio have selected the best songs, performances, and recordings from all the albums. 

Venus Records, VHCD-8002; 2009
7th, 8th June, 2001 at The Studio, New York City
3rd, 4th April, 2002 at The Studio, New York City
7th April, 2003 at Avatar Studio, New York City
11th, 12th November, 2004 at Avatar Studio, New York City
23rd & 24th August, 2005 at The Studio, New York City
30th September & 1st October, 2006 at Clinton Recording Studio, New York City
30th & 31st May, 2007at Clinton Recording Studio, New York City 

Musicians:
Bill Charlap - Piano
Jay Leonhart - Bass
Bill Stewart - Drums 

Tracks:
01. I Could Have Danced All Night {Frank Loewe} (6:40)
02. Blue Skies {Irving Berlin} (5:05)
03. As Time Goes By {Herman Hupfield} (5:44)
04. How High The Moon {Morgan Lewis} (7:50)
05. Star Crossed Lovers {Duke Ellington} (4:30)
06. Lover Come Back To Me {Sigmund Romberg} (6:18)
07. Lullaby Of The Leaves {Bernice Petkere} (6:39)
08. My Heart Belongs To Daddy {Cole Porter} (6:16)
09. You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To {Cole Porter} (8:07)
10. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was {Richard Rodgers} (5:23)
11. Cheek To Cheek {Irving Berlin} (5:46)
12. They Say It’s Wonderful {Irving Berlin} (4:02) 

Total Time: 01:12:22 

Credits:
Producer - Tetsuo Hara, Todd Barkan
Engineer - Katherine Miller
Engineer [Assistant] - Eiji Takasugi
Mixing, Mastering - Shuji Kitamura, Tetsuo Hara
Design - Taz