My Coma Dreams

My Coma Dreams is jazz/theater, bringing together original music by 6-time Grammy© nominee composer Fred Hersch, 'singular among trailblazers of his art' (Vanity Fair), and a script by Grammy©-winning writer/director Herschel Garfein, whose 'themes are deeply American, and rooted in the mores of Generations X and Y' (Time Out NY), starring singer/actor Michael Winther, 'a theater singer of unusual refinement' with 'a voice that traverses genres' (NY Times)
accompanied by an 11-piece ensemble 'swinging like mad.' (All About Jazz). It is based on eight dreams remembered by Hersch when he emerged from a two-month coma in 2008.

'Disturbing, lovely. [with] deeply funny moments throughout . Mr. Hersch is a pianist and composer of rare and wide-ranging gifts.The separate experiences of patient and loved one form one duality wrapped into Mr. Winther's double roles, which he delineates with grace.' Larry Blumenthal, The Wall Street Journal

I found the piece unshakable serious, profoundly moving, and sometimes disturbing, a work of dream art as elegant as Stravinsky's 'Petit Concert' and as memorable as 'Yesterday.' David Hajdu, The New Republic

The multimedia presentation features animation by Sarah Wickliffe and computer imagery generated by Eamonn Farrell. The 11-piece instrumental ensemble includes such jazz heavyweights as drummer John Hollenbeck, bassist John Hébert, trumpeter Ralph Alessi and reed player Adam Kolker along with a string quartet featuring violinist/violist
Joyce Hammann and cellist Dave Eggar. Filmed with multiple cameras by videographer Ross Karre with sound design and recording by Jody Elff.

The DVD will be released on November 25th, 2014 on the Palmetto label in honor of World AIDS Day on December 1st. Proceeds will benefit Treatment Action Group, an independent AIDS research and policy think tank fighting for better treatment, a vaccine, and a cure for AIDS.