One of the busiest and most dependable musicians of the '90s, pianist Fred Hersch delivers another strong performance with Point in Time, mixing standards, choice jazz classics, and his own creative originals. His trio with bassist Drew Gress and drummer Tom Rainey is featured on four tracks; highlights include his moving rendition of "The Peacocks" and a driving original, "Cat's Paws," dedicated to the late promising pianist Dave Catney who died a few months before these sessions. Tenor saxophonist Rich Perry is featured on the delicate arrangement of "Infant Eyes," while trumpeter Dave Douglas joins Hersch on the pianist's melancholy but insistent "Too Soon." The full quintet is featured on several songs, including the pianist's pulsating post bop title track as well as on "Evidence," which captures the playfulness of its composer, Thelonious Monk. Recommended. - Ken Dryden
Tracklist
01. Point in Time (Fred Hersch)
02. You Don't Know What Love Is (Gene DePaul/Don Raye)
03. As Long as There's Music (Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne)
04. Spring Is Here (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers)
05. Peacocks (Jimmy Rowles)
06. Infant Eyes (Wayne Shorter)
07. Cat's Paws (Fred Hersch)
08. Too Soon (Fred Hersch)
09. Evidence (Thelonious Monk)
10. Drew's Blues (Fred Hersch)
FRED HERSCH piano
RICH PERRY tenor saxophone
DAVE DOUGLAS trumpet
DREW GRESS bass
TOM RAINEY drums
Recorded March 20, 21 & 24, 1995 at Systems Two, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Enja Records - ENJ-9035 2 Germany