Leaves of Grass
by Matt Collar
Leaves of Grass finds pianist Fred Hersch and a stellar ensemble of musicians performing Walt Whitman's classic poetry to music. Hersch has long displayed an organic mix of Keith Jarrett's blissed-out focus, Bill Evans' epic patience, and Tommy Flanagan's straight-ahead sense of swing. Combine all that with a deft post-bop harmonicism, classically trained technique, and finally the epic poetry of Walt Whitman and you get this gorgeously cerebral album. Interestingly, Hersch has apple picked from various parts of Leaves of Grass, only including certain parts that truly spoke to him. The result is a semi-classical-sounding oratorio that makes room for spoken word sections, sections done in vocalized song, and outright improvisation. Giving life to Whitman's actual words are singers Kurt Elling and Kate McGarry, who instill each phrase with precision and eloquence. Similarly, Hersch's backing ensemble, including trumpeter Ralph Alessi, tenor saxophonist Tony Malaby, trombonist Mike Christianson, clarinetist Bruce Williamson, cellist Erik Friedlander, bassist Drew Gress, and drummer John Hollenbeck, helps deliver an atmospheric and nuanced backdrop for Whitman's poetry. Hersch's Leaves of Grass will certainly not be to everyone's taste -- poetry and jazz rarely are -- however, as an exercise in combining the two mediums, Hersch has not only succeeded, but also created one of the best albums of his career.
Fred Hersch
Red Square Blue: Jazz Impressions of Russian Composers
by Scott Yanow
This is an unusual set. Pianist Fred Hersch explores music by Mussorgsky, Gliere, Scriabin, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Liadov and Rachmaninoff, performing jazz improvisations while being respectful to the original themes. With the assistance of bassist Steve La Spina, drummer Jeff Hershfield and (on various tracks) flutist James Newton, Toots Thielemans on harmonica, altoist Phil Woods (also heard on clarinet) and cellist Erik Frieldander, Hersch brings out some unexpected beauty in the melodies. This CD is a follow-up to a 1989 disc (Jazz Impressions) on which Hersch and a similar group played their interpretations of themes by French (rather than Russian) classical composers.
The Fred Hersch Group
Forward Motion
by Scott Yanow
This subtle set sneaks up on the listener, gradually building in tension and excitement. Pianist Fred Hersch varies the instrumentation on many of the tracks (only six of his originals use the full group) and the CD starts off with several quiet selections. But just as one thinks that they know what to expect on the rest of the session, up pops "Janeology" (a tribute to Jane Ira Bloom that is a rather spaced-out performance based on "Confirmation") and a driiving piece dedicated to Joe Henderson, "Phantom of the Bopera" (great title!). Using tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, cellist Erik Friedlander, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Tom Rainey in different settings (including an unusual cello-piano-percussion trio on "Frevo"), Fred Hersch is heard throughout the continually surprising date playing at the top of his form.
Fred Hersch
4 in Perspective
by Ken Dryden
Four in Perspective is actually the name of the group featured on this CD, featuring an incredible concert by pianist Fred Hersch, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, vocalist Norma Winstone, and percussionist Paul Clarvis. Though Hersch had previously worked with Wheeler and had long admired Winstone, Clarvis was new to him and it was clear early on during the rehearsal prior to the concert that the performance had to be recorded. The evening is nothing short of stunning, with Hersch's lyrical piano and inviting compositions, Winstone's warm, unpretentious vocals, and the letter-perfect seasoning provided by Wheeler and Clarvis. Winstone penned the lyrics to the pianist's haunting opener, "Sarabande," while also writing words to Wheeler's shimmering ballad "Wintersweet." "Out Some Place (Blues for Matthew Shepard)" is a movement from a larger dance score by Hersch, a lonely, provocative blues in memory of a young gay man who was severely beaten and left to freeze to death tied to a fence in rural Wyoming. Winstone penned lyrics to Jimmy Rowles' signature ballad "The Peacocks" (renamed "A Timeless Place"); Winstone and Hersch rekindle the magic in a stunning duet. Hersch's quirky "Janeology" is suggestive of Ornette Coleman with its jagged melody, while "Four Improvisations" is a provocative, somewhat eerie group improvisation. The band's spacious, campy treatment of Eubie Blake's "Memories of You" wraps the concert on a humorous note. Released in the U.K., this somewhat hard to find CD is well worth tracking down.
Fred Hersch
The Duo Album
by Ken Dryden
Fred Hersch's second CD intended to raise money for HIV/AIDS service, education and prevention programs is well worth the investment. The pianist chose 12 classic songs and accompanied a dozen different talented musicians, including Jim Hall, Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Gary Burton, and Janis Siegel, to name a few. All of the music is magical, no matter who is in the studio. The brilliant but modest pianist let the tapes roll without rehearsals or arrangements. Available exclusively through Classical Action by phone.
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