Pianist Fred Hersch on his development as a jazz musician

In this interview done backstage at the Newport Jazz Festival, pianist/composer Fred Hersch talks about his first musical instrument, as well as his music education and his important teachers and mentors. Hersch was performing at the festival with his trio, featuring bassist John Hebert and drummer Eric McPherson.
Interview by Irene Lee. Video production by Paul Park. Editing by Lee Mergner & Melissa Mergner. Thanks to Carolyn McClair, Melanie Nanez, Danny Melnick and the staff of the Newport Jazz Festival.
For more information about Fred Hersch, go to www.fredhersch.com
For more information about the Newport Jazz Festival, go to www.newportjazzfest.org
For more information about JazzTimes, go to www.jazztimes.com

[@charold3]

Thoughtful, smart, gentle man, apparently. Hope his health stays good and that he continues delighting us with his wonderful music for many more years.

[@joshuawheatley4933]

Sonny Clark lives on 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@KLuqman01]

Living legend.

[@najponkjazz9111]

Great master pianist🎹

[@789armstrong]

When is this great artist going to play something by Michel Legrand? An album devoted to his music would be quite sensational.

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

Kid starts music school, studies theory, ear training ... then meets a Fred Hersh, who did it all in grade school. There goes another music school drop-out.

[@davebartholome2924]

Yeah, it can be discouraging when you encounter somebody like that. But there are plenty of guys who got later starts.

[@jampoles]

Never play white piano. I knew that.