“It’s not easy playing with musicians that play like this, on the other hand it isn’t either.” Quipped the American Jazz Musician and Bandleader.
Herbie Hancock graced the stage of the Adelaide Festival Theatre with subtle grace expected from one of the Jazz greats.
With a career spanning decades and 14 Grammy awards, few artists have had more influence on modern music than Herbie Hancock. The creative force behind timeless classics like Cantaloupe Island, Chameleon, and Rockit, Hancock’s genre-transcending appeal and unmistakable style have cemented his status as a living legend. He has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice, amazing audiences across the globe.
At 84, Hancock is still pushing boundaries, fusing his signature jazz sound with elements of funk, rock, and electronic music. The night was a journey through his expansive career, with Hancock proving that age has only deepened his creativity and musicianship.
Starting with overture with minimum introduction the musical prowess filled the full house. Accompanied by guitar, drums, bass, and horn, Herbie acknowledged the audience’s involvement in a performance by stating this is a sextet, not a quintet.
Herbie spoke of his friend who passed away (Wayne Shorter) before playing a meaningful arrangement Footprints with an extended keys solo.
James Genus, Saturday Night Live, played bass; Terence Blanchard who has written over 80 film scores and scores for tv, three operas, two of which were performed at the Metropolitan Opera House played trumpet; Jaylen Petinaud one of the most sought after drummers in the music industry-on drums; and Lionel Loueke on guitar and vocals (in a made up language) completed the ensemble.
Known for his experimentation with electro styles, Herbie used a form of vocoder to play/sing up to four notes at a time using his voice. In this way he sang an honest and meaningful We Are All One Family. A great use of technology, and a reminder for us all to ‘turn poison into medicine.
The set included straight up hits such as Actual Proof, and Chameleon, but also a medley of the three tunes Hang Up Your Hang Ups, Rockit, and Spider. It was a great set that kept the audience engaged right up until the very end.
In a world where many artists fade over time, Herbie Hancock continues to innovate and inspire. His Adelaide performance was nothing short of spectacular, a reminder that jazz, in the hands of a true genius, is always evolving.
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