Herbie Hancock: Shaping and Mentoring the Future of Jazz
On August 14, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles resounded with the timeless melodies of jazz maestro (and ICAP president) Herbie Hancock. The concert, a golden jubilee celebration of Hancock’s revolutionary album, Head Hunters, marked the first reunion of The Headhunters band in 50 years.
A few video clips of the show
The event began with an enthusiastic introduction by basketball superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, followed by a spiritual invocation by percussionist Bill Summers. The audience was then taken on a two-part musical journey, titled “That Was Then, This Is Now.”
The opening segment brought together the original Headhunters band members Harvey Mason, Bennie Maupin, and Bill Summers, with Marcus Miller filling in for the late Paul Jackson. The band set the tone with “Watermelon Man,” first composed by Mr. Hancock in 1962, and they sailed through other tunes from the album, including the piece created through group improvisation, “Chameleon.”
The second half of the concert spotlighted his current band, performing a variety of pieces, including Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and a reprise of “Chameleon,” thus underscoring Mr. Hancock’s commitment to nurturing new talent and ensuring the longevity of jazz.
His dedication to the future of jazz extends beyond the stage. As ICAP president, and through his work with the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, he has become a mentor to numerous young artists, fostering an environment where learning is a two-way street. He firmly believes in the reciprocal nature of teaching; he not only imparts wisdom but also learns from the fresh perspectives of the next generation of musicians. This dynamic exchange is crucial to maintaining the vibrancy and evolution of jazz.
The 1973 Head Hunters album, which added a funk sensibility to jazz, was a enormous success and remains one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. And yet, the evening transcended being a mere tribute to the past; it was a testament to the enduring impact of Mr. Hancock’s music.
The evening set lists:
Headhunters 50th Anniversary Set
The Headhunters
Herbie Hancock, piano & keyboards
Harvey Mason, drums
Benny Maupin, saxophone
Bill Summers, percussion
Marcus Miller (for Paul Jackson), bass, musical director
1. Watermelon Man
2. Sly
3. Vein Melter
4. Palm Grease
5. Butterfly
6. Chameleon
Intermission
Second Set
Herbie Hancock, piano & keyboards
guest, Terrance Blanchard, trumpet
James Genus, bass
Lionel Loueke, guitar & vocals
Jaylen Petinaud, drums
Additional accompaniment by
Julian “J3PO” Pollack, keyboards
Devin Daniels, saxophone
7. Actual Proof (feat. the original Headhunters and Herbie Hancock’s current band)
8. Overture
9. Footprints
10. Secret Sauce
11. Chameleon (reprise; feat. the original Headhunters and Herbie Hancock’s current band)
An added bonus….
One of the endearing highlights of the evening – Herbie Hancock brought out his grandson, Dru, who is 3-and-a-half years old. As Dru plunked a few notes, it seemed an apropos symbol of both Mr. Hancock’s commitment to family and the passing of the baton to future generations of musicians.
