Part of it is the sound on the piano, another part of it is a certain richness of harmony, and, of course he's influential to me, he's one of the focal figures on piano. But, he's not more influential, say, than Jimmy Rowles, or even Tommy Flanagan. And more and more, as we grow older, we grow more into ourselves. I mean, I'm as influenced by Gerry Mulligan too, horn players and things like that. My line is not Bill's line at all.
People miss that stuff.
I know what they're saying, they're saying I don't waste. I understand that, and believe me, I'm not saying that's not true. Obviously Bill was a very profound person for me, but I think it's dangerous to get involved in any of those things. If you were to hear us really play right next to each other, the same tune, you would notice that it's completely and totally different. As for the Bill Charlap Trio, although all three of them continue to play with other groups, Charlap can't help but be excited about their combination.