Jazz aficionados have held pianist Fred Hersch in high esteem for many years. His 2014 trio album, Floating, received overwhelming critical acclaim. And the piano monster has followed that up with his 10th solo album, Fred Hersch Solo (Palmetto), which was recorded in a Catskills church at the Windham Chamber Music Festival. The album features, among many delights, an evocative, dreamy Jobim medley, “Olha Maria/O Grande Amor”; an entertaining rendition of the jazz standard “Caravan”; and a loving tribute to the legendary Thelonious Monk on “In Walked Bud.” Hersch, who appears on the cover of the October issue of DownBeat magazine, has said that the new album is a birthday present to himself, just ahead of his 60th birthday this month. And it’s a present to cherish for all music lovers. — M.S.
(American Jewish World, 9.25.15)
VIDEO: Fred Hersch plays solo at the Cotton Club in Japan:
