Herbie Hancock was born in Chicago, a city noted for its jazz and Blues music scene. He was seven when he began playing the piano, studying classical music, and appeared with the Chicago Symphony in 1952, playing Mozart.
Despite enjoying the classics, Hancock began to appreciate jazz when he was a teenager, developing his understanding of the form by listening to records made by jazz pianists such as Oscar Peterson and Erroll Garner.
Hancock got his first break in 1960, when trumpeter Donald Byrd hired him to work as a session musician. After two years, he came to the notice of Blue Note, a prestigious jazz label, who numbered legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane on their roster. They signed Hancock as a solo artist and released “Takin’ Off,” his successful debut album, in 1962.
He was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet for five years, and formed The Headhunters in 1973. They blended funk and jazz and mixed in electronic elements, releasing their self-titled album in 1973. “The Headhunters” was the first jazz album to earn the Platinum rating.
Hancock has composed film scores and continues to inspire younger musicians. A review says:
“I sat mesmerized throughout the entire performance.”
Herbie Hancock will be at the Center for the Arts, University of Buffalo, on Sunday, November 2. When they plan events like this, organizers often use poster printing to advertise them.