Fred Hersch & Julian Lage: Free Flying

Pianist Fred Hersch and guitarist Julian Lage are two musicians at very different points in their careers. Hersch, at 58, is one of the most respected musicians in jazz, a poet of the keyboard whose playing glows with humanity. Lage is only 25, a novice by comparison, but Free Flying is a more balanced affair than might be expected. This live recording from New York's Kitano club came about after a few casual encounters made both players want to explore the collaboration further. With the exception of Sam Rivers's Beatrice and Thelonius Monk's Monk's Dream, the tunes are all Hersch's. While Lage's fluid playing is impressive, it's the veteran who shines, proving once again that Hersch has few peers in the intimate setting of the duo. palmetto-records.com