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One of the most acclaimed names in modern jazz, New York pianist Fred Hersch, leads his Pocket Orchestra in its concert debut at 8 pm Saturday, February 7 at the Herbst Theatre, presented by San Francisco Performances.

The evening will showcase Hersch's new music for this unique "orchestra," a hand-picked quartet with vocalist Jo Lawry, trumpeter Ralph Alessi and percussionist Richie Barshay. Hersch, who has performed in nearly every imaginable setting from solo piano to full orchestra, explains that his arrangements blossom in a smaller group where the players and singer interact and improvise together. "It's amazing how much more sound you can get with fewer instruments," he says.

The Pocket Orchestra's CD, "Live at the Jazz Standard," recorded at the band's only previous public appearance, will be issued on April 21 by Sunnyside Records.

While he may be best known as a pianist, Hersch is always composing and putting his music into new configurations. His heralded "Leaves of Grass," a musical setting of poems from Walt Whitman's famous work, was a highlight of San Francisco Performances' spring 2005 season.

The Herbst concert will be Hersch's first major appearance after a trying year of AIDS-related medical issues, including multiple hospitalizations. Diagnosed with HIV in 1986, the musician has been a tireless fundraiser for AIDS causes, including concerts for Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS and four benefit recordings, including an all-star CD, "Last Night When We Were Young: The Ballad Album."

For tickets or more information about this February 7 concert, call 415.392.2545 or visit www.performances.org.