Media Release 010823 - Fred Hersch

The New Yorker described jazz pianist Fred Hersch as "a poet of a pianist," and as poet-pianists go, he’s a busy man. Hersch has released seventeen albums (two of which were nominated for Grammy awards); he has co-led another twenty albums; and has been featured on over eighty further recordings. Taking a break from his hectic touring, recording, and teaching schedule, Hersch has returned to The Banff Centre’s Leighton Artist Studios for the second year running, and will be performing a selection of his own compositions on Friday, September 7^that 7:30 pm in the Rolston Recital Hall. "The Banff Centre environment is ideal for re-charging my creative batteries -- and for escaping New York for some much-needed R & R. I always manage to write a lot of music here and interact with some truly interesting people," says Hersch.

Fred Hersch
Photo by: Peter Carni
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Having released seven solo piano CDs, Hersch has become the most prolific and widely-praised solo jazz pianist of his generation. The New York Observer said of his work, "Solo piano is a damn near impossible feat, yet Mr. Hersch seems born to it." Hersch has performed on stages around the world, including Montreal, San Francisco, Rome , London , Boston, Seattle, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles; and now… Banff. Jazz lovers can experience the feats of the poet-pianist first hand at The Banff Centre. Named after his 2001 3-CD set, this Songs Without Words concert is a "pay-what-you-can" event. Proceeds will go to musicians’ scholarships in The Banff Centre’s Music & Sound program.

For tickets and information, call The Banff Centre Box Office at 1-800-413-8369 or 762-6301.