Horizons
by Scott YanowFred Hersch's debut as a leader was this trio set with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joey Baron. Hersch, who mixes together elements of Bill Evans and Tommy Flanagan with his own approach to chordal improvisation, already sounds fairly individual on such numbers as "My Heart Stood Still," Herbie Hancock's "One Finger Snap," and "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top." The superior compositions and Hersch's own logical but fresh style made this an impressive beginning to his productive solo career.