Jazz Artist of the Week
Herbie Hancock - "Herbie"

       Herbie Hancock was a classically trained child prodigy on the piano. At the age of 11, Herbie was a featured piano soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 26 in D Major. Turning toward jazz, he was sought out by Miles Davis in 1963 (at the age of 23) to play piano in what would later be referred to as Miles Davis's "Second Great Quintet." The "First Great Quintet" was featured in Year One of Jazz Artists of the Week under Miles Davis "Prestige Recordings." The "Second Great Quintet" featured Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, Tony Williams on drums, Wayne Shorter on saxophone and Miles Davis on trumpet. The group recorded seven albums, including E.S.P, whose second track "Eighty-one" is featured below. 
       Herbie Hancock has gone through numerous changes of style and has had a huge influence on jazz, funk, R&B, soul, and hip-hop. Two other creative periods below are featured in groups that he lead. Hancock's album "Maiden Voyage" from 1965 has become a jazz standard and solidified him as a great composer as well as a pianist. In another departure, the album "Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters", had two big crossover popular hits: "Watermelon Man" and "Chameleon." Enjoy!