The Bill Charlap Trio’s latest release, And Then Again, is a demonstration of the power and evolution of one of jazz’s most esteemed ensembles. Captured live on a particularly inspired Saturday night at the Village Vanguard, the album showcases pianist Bill Charlap alongside his long-standing rhythm section of Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. Together, they deliver an hour of high-wire swing and stunning balladry that encapsulates their deep musical rapport and extraordinary improvisational abilities.

Recorded at the legendary Village Vanguard, a venue steeped in jazz history, And Then Again feels like a natural continuation of the trio’s story. Since their formation in 1997, when they first recorded All Through The Night, the trio has become synonymous with the pinnacle of piano-trio performance. Charlap recalls the early chemistry with the Washingtons, “I remember looking at Kenny and Peter, and it felt like we were all in slow-motion, fast-motion. There was this undeniable chemistry.”

This chemistry is palpable throughout And Then Again, where the trio’s locked-in accord and extrasensory communication are on full display. Each track is a masterclass in spontaneous, yet precise, decision-making. Whether navigating a set of songbook favorites or tackling jazz standards, the trio maintains a delicate balance between the terra firma of their repertoire and the improvised creativity that makes each performance unique. The album opens with the energetic title track, “And Then Again,” a composition by Kenny Barron that immediately sets the tone for the interplay that follows. The setlist on And Then Again reflects the trio’s move toward a more fluid and intuitive approach, eschewing an outsize book of hundreds of tunes in favor of performances that feel as organic and spontaneous as possible.

Charlap himself describes the essence of the album: “This record is about the communication of the trio - what we’re doing individually, and what we’re doing as a unit. We try to do this in our own way, without really having to think too much about doing it in our own way. That should just happen naturally, and I think it does.” This natural, intuitive approach is the hallmark of a trio that has spent nearly three decades together, honing their craft and evolving to become something beyond just a band. For Charlap, the Village Vanguard holds a special place in his heart, dating back to his days as a “wild New York City kid” sneaking into the club to eavesdrop on sets by the likes of Shirley Horn and Joe Henderson. Now, decades later, Bill Charlap and his trio have become part of its legacy, contributing their own unforgettable performances to the Vanguard’s rich history.