Oct 25, 2022 1:04 PM
Blue Note Records Honors Leonard Cohen with Inspired Tribute
There’s a reason why, for more than five decades, Leonard Cohen’s songs have been covered by countless artists…
Fred Hersch reflects on duos he’s played in over the years for a series of singles that the pianist is calling Fred Hersch & Friends.
(Photo: Steve J. Sherman)The search for and desire to find love drives most of humanity. And pianist Fred Hersch, working with vocalist Sara Gazarek, aims to impart that resonant necessity through collaboration.
This pastiche of a poem and standard—“Dreams/Darn That Dream”—premieres below. It was recorded at the Mondavi Center in Davis, California, last year and sets the pair in a series of sensitive responses to one another. The tune comes as part of Fred Hersch & Friends, a clutch of singles that finds Hersch re-examining his past work in duo settings. In a similar reappraisal, the pianist last year issued 10 Years/6 Discs, a box set documenting his enduring trio.
“This was my first time playing with Sara Gazarek,” Hersch wrote about the song hin a press release. “I was familiar with her from her recordings, and the buzz about her has been very strong lately. ... She possesses an ability to be spontaneous, is a first-rate musician and is deeply connected to any lyric she sings. The introduction, ‘Dreams,’ is a freely improvised take on a poem by Sara Teasdale—and it connects seamlessly into the standard ‘Darn That Dream.’ The vibe is magic, and her performance is deep.” DB
Norah Jones opens Here It Is: A Tribute To Leonard Cohen (Blue Note) with a delicate, wistful rendition of “Steer Your Way.”
Oct 25, 2022 1:04 PM
There’s a reason why, for more than five decades, Leonard Cohen’s songs have been covered by countless artists…
Idolatry has become a fact of life for the saxophonist, flutist, NEA Jazz Master and self-described dreamer.
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Flying on an early summer night in a season of tricky air travel, Charles Lloyd’s plane from Ottawa, Canada, touched…
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Cuber had the ability to bring out the lyricism of the baritone saxophone.
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Known on stage as Ronnie, Cuber drew praise as a…
Leo P wants to bring the party back to jazz.
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Named Baritone Saxophonist of the Year in the 87th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll, Leo P will be releasing his debut…
