The fiercely independent 61-year-old pianist Fred Hersch has been a quietly influential figure on the next generation of open-minded pianists, a high profile list that includes Brad Mehldau and Ethan Iverson. He's also someone who really comes into his own as a solo performer as evidenced on the new recording {Open Book}. Seamlessly contrapuntal and contrary exchanges of left and right hand, tenderly emerging climaxes and the feeling that he's always tenderly whispering in your ear are a few of the major attractions of this captivating set. Take ‘Whisper Not’ for example: opening with a delicate exchange between left and right hand that obliquely outlines the harmony, the next section captures something of the bluesy hard-bop flavour of the original before we hear the classic Benny Golson-penned theme. The album's centrepiece is a Hersch original, a close to 20-minute work, ‘Through a Forest’, which in contrast to the rest has an expressionistic quality and expanded sense of narrative. Interpretations of ‘Zingaro’ by one of Hersch's favourite composers Jobim, and ‘Eronel’ and ‘And So it Goes’ by another, Thelonious Monk, reveal a pianist at the height of his powers.