The Fred Hersch Ensemble

The Fred Hersch Ensemble: Leaves of Grass

by AAJ Staff
February 22, 2005

For Leaves of Grass, pianist/composer Fred Hersch has set the poetry of Walt Whitman to music. Without a doubt that this is a very great record. Hersch's compositions, which showcase the singing of Kurt Elling (mostly) and Kate McGarry, are jazz, but, happily, they are not otherwise easily classifiable. They bring a modern post-bop drive to Walt Whitman's celestial verse, thanks in large part to John Hollenbeck's drumming. Fortunately, Whitman's speech-like cadences easily lend themselves to swinging.

One ...

Fred Hersch Ensemble Performs "Leaves of Grass" @ Carnegie Hall March 11

Source: All About Jazz
March 1, 2005

“I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear." ~Walt Whitman

GRAMMY Nominee FRED HERSCH Releases Musical Version of Walt Whitman’s, Leaves of Grass, Today --- The 150th Year of Publication

10-Piece Ensemble Including Kurt Elling and Kate McGarry Will Perform Words of Walt Whitman to Music by Hersch @ Carnegie MARCH 11

Over his 30-year career, pianist and composer Fred Hersch has established himself as a master in solo, duo, trio and quintet settings. For his third release on ...
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