Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock is a jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer whose music connects acoustic improvisation, funk and electronic sounds, from “Watermelon Man” to “Rockit.”
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Latest
Herbie’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
- Takin’ Off1962 · Debut album, featuring “Watermelon Man”
Blue Note - Maiden Voyage1965 · Pianist, composer and bandleader
Blue Note - Head Hunters1973 · Jazz-funk album, featuring “Chameleon”
Columbia - Future Shock1983 · Electronic album, featuring “Rockit”
Columbia - River: The Joni Letters2007 · Joni Mitchell tribute album
Verve
Overview
- Born
- April 12, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois
- What he does
- Pianist, keyboardist, composer and bandleader
- First album
- Takin’ Off, released by Blue Note in 1962
- Breakout
- “Watermelon Man” and joining Miles Davis’s quintet in 1963
- Beyond the stage
- LA Phil Creative Chair for Jazz and chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz
Mini bio
How it started.
Herbie grew up in Chicago and performed Mozart with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at 11. Jazz caught his ear in high school. Trumpeter Donald Byrd brought him into professional jazz circles in 1960, before his first Blue Note album, Takin’ Off, introduced “Watermelon Man” in 1962.
Finding his own voice.
Miles Davis invited him into his quintet in 1963. Alongside Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter and Tony Williams, Herbie helped shape the group’s sound while building his own catalogue with records such as Maiden Voyage. Head Hunters brought his keyboard playing into deep funk grooves in 1973.
Following the sound.
Future Shock and “Rockit” connected his music with synthesizers, drum machines and turntable scratching in 1983. He also composed film music, winning an Oscar for ’Round Midnight. On River: The Joni Letters, he explored Joni Mitchell’s songs with guests including Mitchell, Norah Jones, Tina Turner and Leonard Cohen.
Sharing the music.
Herbie’s work also reaches students and audiences through the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, the LA Phil and International Jazz Day. His recent calendar includes the 2025 Polar Music Prize, international touring and 2026 tributes to Miles Davis.
Creditschronological, newest first
Selected recordings
- 2007River: The Joni LettersPianist and co-producer
- 1983Future ShockKeyboards; collaboration with Bill Laswell and Material
- 1973Head HuntersKeyboards, composer and bandleader
- 1965Maiden VoyagePianist, composer and bandleader
- 1962Takin’ OffPianist, composer and bandleader
Film music
- 1986’Round MidnightComposer and performer; Academy Award-winning score
- 1966Blow-UpScore composer
Awards
- Polar Music Prize2025 · Laureate; received the prize in Stockholm on May 27.
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award2016 · Honored by the Recording Academy.
- Kennedy Center Honors2013 · Recognized for his lifetime contribution to American culture.
- Grammy Album of the Year2008 · River: The Joni Letters.
- Academy Award for Original Score1987 ceremony · ’Round Midnight, released in 1986.
- 14 Grammy winsThe Recording Academy lists 14 wins and 34 nominations.
Quotes
I think risk-taking is a great adventure. And life should be full of adventures.Herbie Hancock, Recording Academy artist profile
Trivia
- At 11, he performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 26 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
- He delivered Harvard’s Norton lectures in 2014 under the title “The Ethics of Jazz.”
- His “Rockit” video won five MTV Video Music Awards in 1984.
- He became Bonnaroo’s first artist in residence in 2005.
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