The Fred Hersch Trio: Live At The Village Vanguard (2003)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

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Published: February 1, 2003

The Fred Hersch Trio: Live At The Village Vanguard

Any live performance by Fred Hersch can be a real treat. His intensity and momentum carry the day, and everybody comes away from the affair with a sense of accomplishment.

“What’d you do this weekend?”
”I went out to see Fred Hersch Saturday night.”

'Nuff said. It’s something to tell your friends about. Hell, you’re not likely to stop there, either. It’s a time to contact friends you haven't seen in ages and let them know what they missed.

Hersch interprets Monk to start the session. He, Drew Gress, and Nasheet Waits find new and different ways to experience the music. Six originals and several revered pieces serve as the basis for this vibrant program. Hersch’s “Swamp Thang” stands out for the manner in which the piece brings out this trio’s blues attitude. As usual, the pianist’s program includes the many sides of Fred Hersch. From gentle lullabies to raging hard bop and up-tempo dance antics, his work grows by leaps and bounds. The three artists form ensemble passages tightly and stretch out without restraint whenever the muse beckons. Hersch continues to create modern mainstream jazz as few others can. This new album should make a fine addition to the ol’ record collection.

Track Listing: Bemsha Swing; At the Close of the Day; Phantom of the Bopera; Endless Stars; Swamp Thang; Stuttering; Some Other Time; Days Gone By; Miyako/Black Nile; I'll Be Seeing You.

Personnel: Fred Hersch: piano; Drew Gress: bass; Nasheet Waits: drums.

Record Label: Palmetto Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream