* We regret this concert has been postponed because a winer storm prevented the guest artists from arriving in Holland. The concert will be rescheduled for a future date to be determined. *

The Hope College jazz studies area will feature internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Fred Hersch with his trio on Monday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Wichers Auditorium of Nykerk Hall of Music.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

The trio consists of Fred Hersch, piano; Tom Knific, bass; and Keith Hall, drums.   Taylor O'Donnell, jazz vocalist will be a featured guest. During his residency, Hersch will also teach private lessons to the college's jazz studies majors.

Hersch is no stranger to Hope's stage after performing at the college in 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010, making this performance his fifth appearance. "This is an extremely exciting relationship that Hope has developed with this extraordinary talent," said Dr. Brian Coyle, who is director of the jazz studies area at Hope as well as a professor of music and chairperson of the department of music.

Hersch, a pianist and composer, has been described by "Downbeat" as "one of the small handfuls of brilliant musicians of his generation." Hersch's numerous accomplishments include a 2003 Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship for composition, two Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance and a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Composition. He has appeared on more than 100 recordings, including more than two-dozen albums as bandleader/solo pianist.

Hersch has acted as a passionate spokesman 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 "Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS" that have raised more than $250,000 to date.

Hersch is currently a visiting professor at Western Michigan University and is on the jazz studies faculty of The New England Conservatory.

Nykerk Hall of Music is located in the central Hope campus at the former 127 E. 12th St. between College and Columbia avenues.