Jazz Great Fred Hersch Gives Benefit Concert for Moffett GLBT Scholarship Nov. 15, 8 pm

Pianist and composer Fred Hersch, a Cincinnati native, will give a solo benefit concert on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 8 p.m. in Weigel Auditorium, 1866 College Rd., on campus. The benefit concert is for the Mark Moffett, Jr. GLBT Music Scholarship in the School of Music.

A public reception follows the concert

Downbeat called Hersch "one of the small handful of brilliant musicians of his generation." Hersch has earned a place among the foremost jazz artists in the world today. He has appeared on over one hundred recordings, including more than two dozen albums as bandleader/solo pianist.

Considered to be the most prolific and widely-praised solo pianist of his generation, Hersch has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, a variety of National Public Radio programs, including Fresh Air, Jazz Set, and Studio 360. Also a talented and frequently commissioned composer, Hersch concerts and recordings frequently include his own work as well as others. 

He has two Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance and one for Best Instrumental Composition.

A recipient of Rockefeller, Guggenheim, and NEA grants and fellowships, he is currently a visiting professor at Western Michigan University and is on the Jazz Studies faculty of the New England Conservatory.

Hersch has acted as a passionate spokesperson and fund-raiser for AIDS services and education agencies since 1993. He has produced and performed on four benefit recordings and at numerous concerts for the charities Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS and Broad Cares/Equity Fights AIDS that have raised over $250,000 to date. He is himself HIV-positive.

The Moffett Scholarship Fund honors New York pianist Mark Moffett, Jr., who passed away in 2005 at age 40 from brain cancer caused by HIV. Mark's partner, Paul Lockwood is staff member in the School of Music and Artistic Director of Evolution Theatre Company (ETC) in Columbus.

Advance general admission tickets are available at a discount rate by phone (614) 292-2295 or in person at the OSU Theatre Box Office in the Drake Performance & Events Center. Advance tickets are $17 general admission; $12 senior citizens and students with ID. 

Tickets available at the door (cash or check only). Tickets are $20 general admission; $15 senior citizens and students with ID. (Cash or check only).
                                                     
For information, call (614) 247-7036.