Herbie Hancock, the legendary pianist and composer who has continually blurred the lines between jazz, funk and pop, will bring his ensemble back to the tri-state area with a performance at the Bergen Performing Arts Center on October 30. The NEA Jazz Master will be joined by fellow Jazz Master and frequent Spike Lee collaborator Terence Blanchard on trumpet, longtime “Saturday Night Live” bassist James Genus, West African guitarist Lionel Loueke, and Jaylen Petinaud for an evening of expansion and exploration on a set of Hancock classics and more. Hancock kicked off his storied career as a part of Miles Davis’ Second Great Quintet that also featured bassist Ron Carter, late drummer Tony Williams, and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, whom Hancock has described as his “best friend.” Shorter passed away in 2023 at 89, but Hancock continues to honor his legacy, often performing a Blanchard-arranged rendition of Shorter’s “Footprints,” alongside Hancock-penned mainstays like “Chameleon” and “Actual Proof.” Hancock has continued to remain on the cutting edge of jazz throughout his roughly six-decade long career, pushing the genre into new territory by injecting soul, funk, and pop into the genre and fostering its mass accessibility while never sacrificing virtuosity, artistic prowess, or unabashed expression. Hancock’s ensemble, essentially a supergroup of undeniably unique and powerful voices, lend their talents to each composition, offering new takes on familiar pieces.
While Hancock has typically performed tunes within a standard repertoire in recent years, the pianist and group keep things fresh, pushing the tunes into new and exciting territory with each performance. You never know where the night may take you. You can stay up to date with Herbie Hancock at his website at herbiehancock.com and get tickets for his show at Bergen PAC at ticketmaster.com.
Keep supporting great pianist, Herbie Hancock.