BBC Music Magazine

Fred Hersch Trio

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Live in Europe Fred Hersch (piano), John Hébert (bass),

Eric Mcpherson (drums)

Palmetto PM2192

Selecting the Jazz Choice is always a painful and invidious business, given the fine state of the jazz scene at the moment – but it proved a particular­ly tough task this time. Bobo Stenson and Dave Holland were each front-runners at one stage (see right), but I finally plumped for the Fred Hersch Trio. In its very different but equally valuable way, like the Bobo Stenson Trio it continues to enrich the tradition of the piano-bass-drums configurat­ion. Hersch, a renowned player and improviser in his own right, is particular­ly celebrated for his interpreta­tions of Thelonious Monk’s compositio­ns, and on Live In Europe he bookends the set with ‘We See’ and

‘Blue Monk’, the latter a solo encore. There are also two

Wayne Shorter pieces. The rest are Hersch’s own evocative and impeccably-wrought compositio­ns. There is a lightness, a fluidity and airiness, to this trio’s music, but it is far from insubstant­ial. Thoughtful and exquisitel­y developed, with

Hersch superbly complement­ed by bassist John Hébert and drummer Eric Mcpherson, this concert was a real treat for those lucky enough to be there. ★★★★★

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