Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock

Born April 12, 1940 (Age: 86) Chicago, Illinois, USA

Biography

Herbert Jeffrey Hancock (born April 12, 1940) is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet", Hancock helped redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section, and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound. He was one of the first jazz musicians to embrace synthesizers and funk. Hancock's music is often melodic and accessible; he has had many songs "cross over" and achieved success among pop audiences. His music embraces elements of funk and soul while adopting freer stylistic elements from jazz. In his jazz improvisation, he possesses a unique creative blend of jazz, blues, and modern classical music, with harmonic stylings much like the styles of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Hancock's best-known solo works include "Cantaloupe Island", "Watermelon Man" (later performed by dozens of musicians, including bandleader Mongo Santamaría), "Maiden Voyage", "Chameleon", and the singles "I Thought It Was You" and "Rockit". His 2007 tribute album River: The Joni Letters won the 2008 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, only the second jazz album ever to win the award after Getz/Gilberto in 1965. As a member of Soka Gakkai, Hancock is an adherent of the Nichiren school of Mahayana Buddhism.
Herbert Jeffrey Hancock (born April 12, 1940) is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet", Hancock helped redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section, and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound. He was one of the first jazz musicians to embrace synthesizers and funk. Hancock's music is often melodic and accessible; he has had many songs "cross over" and achieved success among pop audiences. His music embraces elements of funk and soul while adopting freer stylistic elements from jazz. In his jazz improvisation, he possesses a unique creative blend of jazz, blues, and modern classical music, with harmonic stylings much like the styles of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Hancock's best-known solo works include "Cantaloupe Island", "Watermelon Man" (later performed by dozens of musicians, including bandleader Mongo Santamaría), "Maiden Voyage", "Chameleon", and the singles "I Thought It Was You" and "Rockit". His 2007 tribute album River: The Joni Letters won the 2008 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, only the second jazz album ever to win the award after Getz/Gilberto in 1965. As a member of Soka Gakkai, Hancock is an adherent of the Nichiren school of Mahayana Buddhism.
Read more

Filmography

That Click

That Click

2019 as Self Age: 79
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

2017 as Defence Minister Age: 77
Chick Corea: The Musician

Chick Corea: The Musician

2017 as Self Age: 77
River of Gold

River of Gold

2016 as Narrator Age: 75
Miles Ahead

Miles Ahead

2016 as Live Concert Band Age: 75
A Man's Story

A Man's Story

2011 as Self Age: 71
Music

Music

2010 as Self Age: 70
We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial

We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial

2009 as Self Age: 68
Miles Electric: A Different Kind of Blue

Miles Electric: A Different Kind of Blue

2004 as Self Age: 64
No Image

Herbie Hancock Special

2004 as Age: 64
Dennis Hopper: The Decisive Moments

Dennis Hopper: The Decisive Moments

2004 as Self Age: 64
Hitters

Hitters

2002 as District Attorney Age: 62
World of Rhythm - Live in Lugano

World of Rhythm - Live in Lugano

2002 as Self Age: 62
The Jazz Channel Presents Herbie Hancock

The Jazz Channel Presents Herbie Hancock

2002 as Himself Age: 61
Herbie Hancock  Future2future Live

Herbie Hancock Future2future Live

2002 as Himself Age: 61
Blue Note - A Story of Modern Jazz

Blue Note - A Story of Modern Jazz

1997 as Self Age: 57
Wayne Shorter: Live at Montreux 1996

Wayne Shorter: Live at Montreux 1996

1996 as Age: 56
Indecent Proposal

Indecent Proposal

1993 as Himself Age: 52
The Neville Brothers: Tell It Like It Is

The Neville Brothers: Tell It Like It Is

1991 as Age: 51
Miles Davis - At La Villette

Miles Davis - At La Villette

1991 as Himself Age: 51
Branford Marsalis: Steep

Branford Marsalis: Steep

1991 as Self Age: 50
Jazz Under the Skies

Jazz Under the Skies

1990 as Self Age: 49
Jack DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland: Parallel Realities Live... (Live at Mellon Jazz Festival)

Jack DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland: Parallel Realities Live... (Live at Mellon Jazz Festival)

1990 as Keyboards Age: 49
Celebrity Guide to Wine

Celebrity Guide to Wine

1990 as Self Age: 49
Live at Munich Summer Piano Festiva

Live at Munich Summer Piano Festiva

1988 as Age: 47
No Image

Bobby McFerrin: Spontaneous Inventions

1987 as Himself Age: 47
No Image

Herbie Hancock At The Munich Summer Piano Festival

1987 as Himself Age: 46
'Round Midnight

'Round Midnight

1986 as Eddie Wayne Age: 46
Before Midnight

Before Midnight

1986 as Self (archive footage) Age: 45
The Making of Sun City

The Making of Sun City

1985 as Self Age: 44
I Love Quincy

I Love Quincy

1984 as Self Age: 43
PBS Soundstage 1974: Chick Corea & Return to Forever + Herbie Hancock & The Headhunters

PBS Soundstage 1974: Chick Corea & Return to Forever + Herbie Hancock & The Headhunters

1974 as Age: 33