You’re right, and I could’ve worded this better. What I was thinking about was how he would fit into the scene today if he was young and just starting to create his amazing library of music.
I’d say he actually influenced a lot of musicians in the scene immensely, so we may not have a lot of the jazz fusion influence on jambands without him making things like headhunters.
People always talk about the GD, ABB type influences on jam scene, but the other aide and arguably just as big of influence on the jam and improv scene are these jazz musicians that went full rock/funk fusion in the 70s. A lot of the synthy experimentation we know and love may have developed differently if Herbie didn’t make these albums when he did.
My two cents at least
I discovered Herbie because SCI covered him a lot in the early 2000s. There is an ocean of music to draw from. Saw him finally at a Stevie Wonder show; he and Chick Correa were playing across town and stopped by. I was trying to get a beer with my wife, heard the opening notes to Watermelon Man, and ran screaming, “meet you back at the seats!” Dream concert moment.
When I was in high school back in the 90s Herbie Hancock came to my school for a little performance and masterclass. At the end there was a Q&A and my friend asked him “how has jazz changed since back in your day?”
The look Herbie gave my friend when he said “back in my day?!? This IS my day!” was intense and I imagine him giving OP the same glare
Haha fair enough. That’s an awesome story and it’s really cool that he came to your school. I played drums in jazz band in HS in the 2000s and I would’ve killed for that experience.
I was thinking about how timeless his stuff is, and how highly regarded his music from the 60s/70s/80s would still be if it was released today. Definitely could’ve said that more clearly.
It's all about the synth. I believe he first used the ARP Odyssey on head hunters, which greatly expanded his pallet and allowed him to explore these beautiful musical ideas. Manchild is one of my favorite albums of his, so many amazing grooves. It was a matter of the right man and the right tech coming of age at the same time imo
Herbie's stuff is mind blowing and timeless. To echo a few others though, I saw him live back in March and I can assure you he is definitely still doing his thing.
I saw Herbie and his band play last year at Music At The Intersection in Stl. He still has it. Was an incredible day of music that also included sets from Frasco, Fearless Flyers (Vulfpeck side project with Joe Dart and Cory Wong) and Thundercat.
I saw him close out Newport Jazz Fest last year and it was fucking incredible. One of the best shows I saw last year. He’s still got it. He’s up there in age but appears that he’s really taken care of himself. Hope he can keep doing it for 20 more years.
He is still doing it. dancing around on stage with his Key-tar at about 90 years old. Saw him in a stuffy old auditorium with velvet seats a couple years ago. He played the craziest shit loud as hell, and his band, oh man his guitar player, they are incredible
I prefer the live track off VSOP. A great double album each side is a different style of jazz including two songs from this band. featuring Ray 'I ain't afraid of no ghosts' Parker! [https://youtu.be/hdBLFkzKix8?si=MTnwtPTCYbSmGN\_Z](https://youtu.be/hdBLFkzKix8?si=MTnwtPTCYbSmGN_Z)
edit to add the other funky track off that album, Spider, because now I'm listening to it: [https://youtu.be/u2J2w9enLZ0?si=Cp0zCJJWY-Jey-xs](https://youtu.be/u2J2w9enLZ0?si=Cp0zCJJWY-Jey-xs)
Herbie is still out there doing his thing.
Didn’t he just go on tour recently
You’re right, and I could’ve worded this better. What I was thinking about was how he would fit into the scene today if he was young and just starting to create his amazing library of music.
I’d say he actually influenced a lot of musicians in the scene immensely, so we may not have a lot of the jazz fusion influence on jambands without him making things like headhunters. People always talk about the GD, ABB type influences on jam scene, but the other aide and arguably just as big of influence on the jam and improv scene are these jazz musicians that went full rock/funk fusion in the 70s. A lot of the synthy experimentation we know and love may have developed differently if Herbie didn’t make these albums when he did. My two cents at least
I discovered Herbie because SCI covered him a lot in the early 2000s. There is an ocean of music to draw from. Saw him finally at a Stevie Wonder show; he and Chick Correa were playing across town and stopped by. I was trying to get a beer with my wife, heard the opening notes to Watermelon Man, and ran screaming, “meet you back at the seats!” Dream concert moment.
If my aunt had wheels she'd be my uncle
When I was in high school back in the 90s Herbie Hancock came to my school for a little performance and masterclass. At the end there was a Q&A and my friend asked him “how has jazz changed since back in your day?” The look Herbie gave my friend when he said “back in my day?!? This IS my day!” was intense and I imagine him giving OP the same glare
Haha fair enough. That’s an awesome story and it’s really cool that he came to your school. I played drums in jazz band in HS in the 2000s and I would’ve killed for that experience. I was thinking about how timeless his stuff is, and how highly regarded his music from the 60s/70s/80s would still be if it was released today. Definitely could’ve said that more clearly.
Just saw him two years ago and he SLAYED. One of the best live shows i've ever seen.
It's all about the synth. I believe he first used the ARP Odyssey on head hunters, which greatly expanded his pallet and allowed him to explore these beautiful musical ideas. Manchild is one of my favorite albums of his, so many amazing grooves. It was a matter of the right man and the right tech coming of age at the same time imo
and clavinet!
Love this album. Nothing better than lighting one up under the stars listening to Bubbles
Herbie's stuff is mind blowing and timeless. To echo a few others though, I saw him live back in March and I can assure you he is definitely still doing his thing.
He has 16 shows booked for August and September. Get out there and see him do his thing.
I saw Herbie and his band play last year at Music At The Intersection in Stl. He still has it. Was an incredible day of music that also included sets from Frasco, Fearless Flyers (Vulfpeck side project with Joe Dart and Cory Wong) and Thundercat.
I saw him close out Newport Jazz Fest last year and it was fucking incredible. One of the best shows I saw last year. He’s still got it. He’s up there in age but appears that he’s really taken care of himself. Hope he can keep doing it for 20 more years.
Homie, check out polyrhythmics if you’re looking for some jamjazz!! They’re crushing it right now. https://youtu.be/URTbIG_8cH0?si=a-MvFECNBDsdpsCu
He is still doing it. dancing around on stage with his Key-tar at about 90 years old. Saw him in a stuffy old auditorium with velvet seats a couple years ago. He played the craziest shit loud as hell, and his band, oh man his guitar player, they are incredible
I prefer the live track off VSOP. A great double album each side is a different style of jazz including two songs from this band. featuring Ray 'I ain't afraid of no ghosts' Parker! [https://youtu.be/hdBLFkzKix8?si=MTnwtPTCYbSmGN\_Z](https://youtu.be/hdBLFkzKix8?si=MTnwtPTCYbSmGN_Z) edit to add the other funky track off that album, Spider, because now I'm listening to it: [https://youtu.be/u2J2w9enLZ0?si=Cp0zCJJWY-Jey-xs](https://youtu.be/u2J2w9enLZ0?si=Cp0zCJJWY-Jey-xs)
I love this album