Fred Hersch

• DIGISLEEVE EDITION

Pianist Fred Hersch, who needs no introduction to most well-informed jazz enthusiasts, is by and large known as a leader of trios and other small groups. Begin Again displays another side of Hersch's appreciable talents: nine of his handsome compositions, astutely recast by six-time Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza and impressively performed by Germany's superb WDR Big Band.

PERSONNEL:

• FRED HERSCH, composer, piano
• VINCE MENDOZA, arranger, conductor
• with:

• Wim Both; Rob Bruynen; Andy Haderer; Ruud Breuls (tp)
• Johan Horlen; Karolina Strassmayer (as)
• Olivier Peters; Paul Heller (ts); Jens Neufang (bs)
• Ludwig Nus; Andrea Andreoli; Andy Hunter (tb)
• Mattis Cederberg (b-tb, tba); Paul Shigihara (g)
• John Goldsby (b); Hans Dekker (d).

TRACKS:

• 01. Begin Again
• 02. Song Without Words #2: Ballad
• 03. Havana
• 04. Out Someplace (Blues for Matthew Shepard)
• 05. Pastorale
• 06. Rain Waltz
• 07. The Big Easy
• 08. Forward Motion
• 09. The Orb (for Scott).