SF Chronicle: Fred Hersch, Performer of "Uncommon Fluency, Feeling, Invention," Returns to Stage

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Fred Hersch will perform two shows in San Francisco this weekend: a free solo concert and conversation at the Community Music Center on Friday and a concert at Herbst Theatre with his new Pocket Orchestra Saturday night. He spoke with the San Francisco Chronicle about his recent triumph over a number of life-threatening illnesses and his return to the stage. "Hersch, who plays jazz with uncommon fluency, feeling and invention," says the Chronicle, "has recovered, regaining his strength through intense physical therapy and getting back to the affirming business of making music."

Copy

Fred Hersch will perform two shows in San Francisco this weekend: a free solo concert and intimate conversation with the audience at the Community Music Center's Capp Street Concert Hall at 6 PM on Friday, followed by a Saturday night concert at Herbst Theatre with the Fred Hersch Pocket Orchestra: Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Richie Barshay on percussion, and singer Jo Lawry on vocals.

These events follow a harrowing year, to say the least, for Hersch, who survived a number of life-threatening illnesses and complications from AIDS, making his triumphant concert return in New York City last October just days after leaving the hospital.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Jesse Hamlin, who spoke with the pianist/composer about the ordeal and his return to the stage, asserts that "Hersch, who plays jazz with uncommon fluency, feeling and invention, has recovered, regaining his strength through intense physical therapy and getting back to the affirming business of making music."

Hamlin describes Hersch, who recorded a number of albums for Nonesuch Records from 1996 through 2001, and his new Pocket Orchestra as a "smashing" and "rich-voiced quartet," in an article in which the two discuss the past year's events, Hersch's long musical career, and his experience coming out as a gay man in an era (the early 1980s) and a field not known for being particularly open-minded about it.

"I've become the den mother for gay jazz musicians and a lot of musicians with AIDS," Hersch tells the Chronicle. "And for years I've talked about the value of being out, particularly as an artist, so you're not compartmentalizing your life and worrying about who knows what. Maintaining a closet is very expensive in terms of your psychology. It's a lot of effort."

Hersch acknowledges how far the jazz community, like the world outside it, has come in terms of homophobia over the past 30 years, explaining that today, "When I'm out on the scene, I feel very much embraced as a member of the jazz community."

Of course, in the end, says the Chronicle's Hamlin, "What matters is the music, made fresh every night by artists like Hersch."

Read the complete interview with Hersch with further insight on what to expect at this weekend's concerts, at sfgate.com. For more upcoming dates on Fred's performance schedule, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

featuredimage
Fred Hersch
  • Wednesday, February 4, 2009
    SF Chronicle: Fred Hersch, Performer of "Uncommon Fluency, Feeling, Invention," Returns to Stage
    Michael Wilson

    Fred Hersch will perform two shows in San Francisco this weekend: a free solo concert and intimate conversation with the audience at the Community Music Center's Capp Street Concert Hall at 6 PM on Friday, followed by a Saturday night concert at Herbst Theatre with the Fred Hersch Pocket Orchestra: Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Richie Barshay on percussion, and singer Jo Lawry on vocals.

    These events follow a harrowing year, to say the least, for Hersch, who survived a number of life-threatening illnesses and complications from AIDS, making his triumphant concert return in New York City last October just days after leaving the hospital.

    San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Jesse Hamlin, who spoke with the pianist/composer about the ordeal and his return to the stage, asserts that "Hersch, who plays jazz with uncommon fluency, feeling and invention, has recovered, regaining his strength through intense physical therapy and getting back to the affirming business of making music."

    Hamlin describes Hersch, who recorded a number of albums for Nonesuch Records from 1996 through 2001, and his new Pocket Orchestra as a "smashing" and "rich-voiced quartet," in an article in which the two discuss the past year's events, Hersch's long musical career, and his experience coming out as a gay man in an era (the early 1980s) and a field not known for being particularly open-minded about it.

    "I've become the den mother for gay jazz musicians and a lot of musicians with AIDS," Hersch tells the Chronicle. "And for years I've talked about the value of being out, particularly as an artist, so you're not compartmentalizing your life and worrying about who knows what. Maintaining a closet is very expensive in terms of your psychology. It's a lot of effort."

    Hersch acknowledges how far the jazz community, like the world outside it, has come in terms of homophobia over the past 30 years, explaining that today, "When I'm out on the scene, I feel very much embraced as a member of the jazz community."

    Of course, in the end, says the Chronicle's Hamlin, "What matters is the music, made fresh every night by artists like Hersch."

    Read the complete interview with Hersch with further insight on what to expect at this weekend's concerts, at sfgate.com. For more upcoming dates on Fred's performance schedule, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

    Journal Articles:On Tour

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Friday, March 15, 2024
    Friday, March 15, 2024

    Rhiannon Giddens plays a sold-out show at the Beacon Theatre in NYC, where Nathalie Joachim has sold out Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing. The Black Keys play a set at Stubb's in Austin for SXSW. Tigran Hamasyan and his trio are in Boston and Chicago. Hurray for the Riff Raff has a sold-out show in St. Paul. Brad Mehldau plays solo in Europe—in Geneva, Rome, and Verona. Mandy Patinkin is in San Antonio. Cécile McLorin Salvant performs Ogresse conducted by Darcy James Argue in Luxembourg and Brussels.

    Journal Topics: On TourWeekend Events
  • Tuesday, March 12, 2024
    Tuesday, March 12, 2024

    The 2024 Big Ears Festival is next week, taking place in venues throughout downtown Knoxville, TN, March 21–24, with more than a dozen Nonesuch artists past, present, and future performing as part of the label's 60th anniversary celebrations. In addition to all of the music and film offerings, Big Ears also hosts a number of artist conversations with music journalists Ann Powers and Nate Chinen, including talks with Sam Amidon, Laurie Anderson, Darcy James Argue, Rhiannon Giddens, Mary Halvorson, Robin Holcomb, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Brad Mehldau, Davóne Tines, and Yasmin Williams.

    Journal Topics: Artist NewsOn Tour