A PLEASING PAIR

Standards stretched, teased, and joyfully reimagined

The song “’S Wonderful” will be a century old next year, so it’s not a new thing to wonder if its titular positive adjective might describe the rendition du jour and the full live set or recording in which it has appeared. In the case of the current run at Birdland in Manhattan (closing with two sets on Saturday night, January 10), featuring singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianist Bill Charlap, the answer is yes. Reliably wonderful for quite some time, their reputation precedes them, so it’s no surprise that the “W” word applies.

The Gershwin number was one of the treats in their set and is one of four selections that also appeared on their first joint album, Elemental, released in June of last year. The ebullient piece from the musical Funny Face was premiered on Broadway at a theatre on West 52nd Street—coincidentally just around the corner from where Birdland would later have its first location. The bubbly Bridgewater was in playful mode, teasing the old standard, bopping across the stage, smiling, embellishing the tune, repeating phrases, extending the ending as if reluctant to let it go, exchanging glances with the keyboardist. It’s hardly new to him and his remarkable fingers, as he’s also recorded it three other times; it was the title song of a release by his trio and appears on his duo album with sax man Houston Person, as well as on an all-Gershwin collection with vocals by Tony Bennett and Diana Krall.

Another pick from the GRAMMY–nominated Elemental, “Honeysuckle Rose,” brought out the vocalist’s confidently cheeky, strutting, showy side. As it went on, she used her voice to seem kittenish and comical, growling and gruff, slinky and sly, scat-singing as she skipped around the scale and the stage, even launching into an impression of Louis Armstrong. Matching her at every twist and turn, switching up rhythms and tempi, Charlap was likewise likably versatile.

It was just one of those nights, including another of those wild, way-out rides, taking “Just One of Those Things” and stretching the Cole Porter classic in every amusing and musical direction. Winking and laughing afterward, a delighted Dee Dee told the audience, “We never know where we’re going to go. It’s as much a surprise to us as it is to you.” The few spoken comments were all handled by the freewheeling, gleeful lady. She’s the more out-and-out outgoing of the two, with her partner more reserved, reserving his energy for the dazzling keyboard calisthenics.

Music associated with Duke Ellington was not just on their set list, but also on their minds, in their hearts, and in their bones. They’ve each been a key part of a release dedicated to Duke, and some choices in their Birdland bonanza also appear on Elemental and/or her 1996 all-Ellington release with a full orchestra.

We got a bright “I’m Beginning to See the Light,” “Caravan,” the downbeat “Mood Indigo,” and the heavenly highlight of their Ellington sampling: an elegant, straightforwardly serious and sublime “In a Sentimental Mood.” Also in the set was the famous piece penned by Duke’s colleague Billy Strayhorn, the loner’s lament “Lush Life.” It was suitably sorrowful, with touches of resignation, realization, and rue.

“Lush Life” has been in Mr. Charlap’s musical life before; his discography shows recordings with various instrumental colleagues on three albums, including one with his trio and saxophonist Harry Allen, which also contains “Caravan” and “Mood Indigo.” The appreciative audience seemed full of fellow members of the Duke Ellington Fan Club, as these selections brought cheers and rapt attention, demonstrating admiration for the versatile vocals, the extended piano solos, and the duo’s overall chemistry.

One further note for repeat visitors: a cabaret-going companion of mine enjoyed the set so much that she returned the following night, only to discover an entirely different slate of songs. Don’t expect the same selections from one set to the next—part of the pleasure here is the sense that anything might happen, and that it probably will.

Both wear glasses now, but they certainly see things eye to eye—and it’s a joy to see (and hear) their rejuvenated jaunts through classic songs.

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
Birdland Theater, 315 West 44th St
ends on January 10, 2026
reviewed on January 7
for more info and other dates, visit Bill Charlap and Dee Dee Bridgewater

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦