Fred Hersch / The Fred Hersch Trio Plays (One Step) / Evolution Music

Described by Hersch as “an no-gimmicks album,” 1994's “The Fred Hersch Trio Plays” was his third album for Chesky Records and the follow-up to his 1992 Grammy-nominated album “Dancing In The Dark.”

With his double bassist Drew Gress and drummer Tom Rainey, the master pianist presents highly original interpretations of pieces by his favorite jazz composers, including Miles Davis' “Milestones,” Wayne Shorter's “Iris,

” Thelonious Monk's “Played Twice,” Dizzy Gillespie's “Con Alma” and Herbie Hancock's “Speak Like A Child.” The album also includes the track “Evanessence,” which Hersch composed as a tribute to pianist Bill Evans.

With this remarkable album, the Fred Hersch Trio shows what jazz is really about for them: discovery, reinvention, teamwork! 

Born in Cincinnati, USA, jazz pianist and composer Fred Hersch began playing the piano at the age of four and attended the New England Conservatory in Boston until his graduation in 1977. He later moved to New York,

where he quickly became a sought-after pianist. Significantly influenced by Bill Evans, Hersch made a name for himself as a crossover artist between jazz and classical music, initially performing as a sideman for musicians

such as Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, Gary Burton, Art Farmer and Charlie Haden. Hersch soon attracted international attention with his own compositions, band projects, and especially his solo programs. He was the first musician

to be honored with a week-long solo piano program at the famous Village Vanguard. Hersch has been nominated for a Grammy ten times, both for Best Instrumental Jazz Recording and Best Instrumental Composition.

“Fred Hersch Solo” (2015) won a “Coup de Coeur” from the Académie Charles Cros as well as the “Grand Prix” from the French Académie du Jazz. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2003 for his compositions. In 2016,

the Jazz Journalists Association named him “Jazz Pianist of the Year.”

“The Fred Hersch Trio Plays” was originally recorded on February 16 and 17, 1994, at Astoria Queens in New York and is a unique gem in the Chesky Records catalog. We are delighted to present the reissue of this wonderful album

on 180-gram vinyl (33 RPM), pressed for the first time using the superior One-Step process, which brilliantly showcases Chesky's famous production and recording techniques!

Title

Side A

1.    Milestones
2.    Iris
3.    Play Twice
4.    Con Alma

Side B

1.    Mood Indigo
2.    Speak Like A Child
3.    Evanessence
4.    Forerunner