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Fred Hersch at the Barcelona Jazz Festival

Courtesy Roberto Cifarelli
. . . the Hersch we were able to see on this unforgettable night was the most solidly rhythmic and densely harmonic that our memory (and a quick random review of his discography) is capable of remembering.
Conservatori del Liceu
56 Festival de Jazz de Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
October 29, 2024
The 56th Barcelona Jazz Festival boasted one of the most complete and balanced line-ups in recent years.

Fred Hersch
pianob.1955
There is no better way to enjoy the mastery of the truly great than to hear them live and alone with their instrument, a leap into the void, without harnesses or a net, which only the best can overcome with a resounding, unquestionable success.

Fred Hersch
pianob.1955
Contrary to what some Barcelonian websites have reported, the concert was not basedfor the most parton material from his most recent album Silent, Listening (ECM, 2024), an excursion into ethereal experimentation that may surprise some but is not at all new to him (check his previous duo with

Ralph Alessi
trumpetb.1963

Russ Freeman
piano1926 - 2002

Antonio Carlos Jobim
piano1927 - 1994
Much of the concert was dominated by several tributes to musicians who have passed away, either by performing pieces by them or by Hersch's compositions dedicated, in his own words, to people whom he admires and who inspire him. The first to be invoked was

Benny Golson
saxophone, tenor1929 - 2024

Carla Bley
piano1938 - 2023

Charlie Haden
bass, acoustic1937 - 2014
Beyond the offerings and dedications, there was also room for Hersch to bring to his ground pieces like "Palha?o"a new stop in Brazilby

Egberto Gismonti
guitarb.1947

Thelonious Monk
piano1917 - 1982

Billy Joel
pianob.1949
Fred Hersch is now possibly at his best as a musician, and he probably knows it. His discreet, almost shy attitude only enhances an enormous, indisputable piano authority that translates into performances such as this one, a thorough, open-hearted review through the history of jazz piano via a wide and diverse repertoire that explores the infinite harmonic corners and melodic twists of its themes. This is always carried out within a respectful orthodoxy and a musicality dressed in irresistible elegance. Any black spots? We missed a reading of his magnificent, for us initiatory, "Sarabande," but that gives reason to hope for a new opportunity. A note to festival director Joan Anton Cararach: please invite Fred Hersch to return.
Tags
Live Review
Artur Moral
Spain
barcelona jazz festival
Fred Hersch
Silent, Listening
Ralph Alessi
Russ Freeman
Songs Without Words
Antonio Carlos Jobim
benny golson
carla bley
Robert Schumann
Sarabande
Charlie Haden
Egberto Gismonti
Richard Rodgers
Thelonious Monk
Billy Joel
Johann Sebastian Bach
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