Hersch, Fred
Palmetto, 2004, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 10.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 3
Sound: 5
Score: 
O’s Notes: The familiar trio of Drew Gress (b), Nasheet Waits (d) and Hersch (p) is expanded to include Ralph Alessi (t) and Tony Malaby (sax). The addition of brass expands the tonal richness especially on soft ballads like “And I Love Her”. They play mostly fusion/neobop and ballads but touch on avant garde on a few of the selections. “Miss B.” is an example of playing on the boundary that comes off very well. The mood turns melancholic on “Black Dog Pays A Visit” before brightening up on “Marshall’s Plan”. They conclude with “The Chase” a racy blues number. The Trio + 2 works.
