Vanity Fair is streaming Fred Hersch's new album 'Whirl' this week, all part of a big year for the piano genius. David Friend writes, "Fred Hersch had arguably become the most arrestingly innovative pianist in jazz... ['Whirl'] is a testament to Hersch's deep reserves of talent and resolve."
Friend also recounts Hersch's harrowing near-death struggle, writing, "Hersch developed AIDS-related dementia in 2008, then fell into a coma for two months, before recovering--but only after losing all of his motor functions. After intensive therapy, he retrained himself to play... [This year, he] has irrepressibly reemerged."
Hersch recently performed at Denver's Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge on June 6 and 7 and you can read my interview with him here.
