The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Committee placed Lester
Hirsh's 'Mosaic II: Poems of An Ancient Order' on the Official Ballot for the
2005 Grammy Awards for 'Best Spoken Word Album.'
Lester Hirsh is a gifted guitarist, singer/songwriter, and poet. Performing on
Spanish 6-string and acoustic 12-string guitar, his style ranges from classical,
country, and folk, to Brazilian jazz and Flamenco. His repertoire includes
original compositions as well as standards performed with intriguing percussive
guitar riffs and harmonica.
Hirsh's guitar style, singing, flair for humor, and ability to work the crowd,
moved Cheryl Mansley of RiverHouse Concerts, Shepherdstown, WV, to describe him
as a 'One Man Traveling Party.'
Lester has performed in a variety of ensembles over the past 30 years folk
trio Side Three, Tampa, Florida, folk/pop trio Jerusalem, Williamsport,
Pennsylvania, and duo Sweet River, Concord, New Hampshire. During that time
Lester also honed his skills as a viable solo artist.
In 2002 Lester began to divide time between Concord, New Hampshire and his
hometown of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. From 1985 to 1998 he produced three
full-length cassette LPs: 'Part & Parcel,' 'Piper's Dream,' and 'Whistle in the
Wind.' This was followed by 'Tales of a Troubadour' in 1994, a 17-song
retrospective compilation. 'Piper's Dream' and 'To Have You By My Side,' from
'Tales of A Troubadour,' appeared on the Big Noise compilation disc 'Digital
Mystery Tour' which received airplay in the US and overseas.
In 1997, Lester was a finalist in the Napa Valley, California, Emerging
Songwriter Contest for his songs 'Whistle in the Wind' and 'On the Road in
America.' In June of 2000 he performed on Michael Johnathon's 'Woodsong Old Time
Radio Hour.'
In the fall of 1998, the CD 'Sweet Surrender' was released, followed by
'Strangers and Lonesome Friends' in 2003. Two spoken word CDs, 'Mosaic, Poems of
an Ancient Order' and 'Mosaic II, Poems of an Ancient Order' were released in
2002 and 2003 respectively, followed by 'Lester Hirsh Live at the Coffee and Tea
Room' in 2004 and the instrumental CD 'River of Strings' in 2006.
In addition to Lester¹s music career, from 1988 through 2002, he was publisher
and editor of Bone & Flesh literary magazine. His poems have been published in
The Ashville Poetry Review, Signal, Tabula Rasa, and other periodicals. His
poem, 'Casualties,' along with art by Fleur Byers, was on exhibit at the Pen &
Brush Gallery, New York City, in 1992. His book, 'Mosaic II, Poems of an Ancient
Order,' was published by the Writers Publishing Cooperative, Warner, New
Hampshire. ( www.essentialbooks.com ) Ellen Hersh calls his poetry, 'universal
with the voice of an ancient troubadour and the language of our times.'
Lester performs for special needs audiences, artist-in-school residencies, and
numerous concert venues. He teaches poetry as well as guitar workshops in
community education settings. He is a member of the AIE Roster, Schuylkill
County Council of the Arts, as well as the New Hampshire State Council on the
Arts.
Richard Isen (Musicians on the Internet) says of Lester's musical style, 'like
Johnny Cash meets Allen Ginsberg with Woody Guthrie looking on.'
Of his performance, Jane Fallon, former director of the Wilton NH Arts Festival,
says, 'Lester Hirsh is the consummate performer with the polish of a
professional and the enthusiasm of a rookie.'
