Herbie Hancock (Piano)
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock (b. April 12, 1940) is an American pianist,
keyboardist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great
quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was
one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound. He was one of the first
jazz musicians to embrace music synthesizers and funk music (characterized by
syncopated drum beats). Hancock's music is often melodic and accessible; he has
had many songs "cross over" and achieved success among pop audiences. His music
embraces elements of funk and soul while adopting freer stylistic elements from
jazz. In his jazz improvisation, he possesses a unique creative blend of jazz,
blues, and modern classical music, with harmonic stylings much like the styles
of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.
Hancock's best-known solo works include "Cantaloupe Island", "Watermelon Man"
(later performed by dozens of musicians, including bandleader Mongo
SantamarЁЄa), "Maiden Voyage", "Chameleon", and the singles "I Thought It Was
You" and "Rockit". His 2007 tribute album River: The Joni Letters won the 2008
Grammy Award for Album of the Year, only the second jazz album ever to win the
award after Getz/Gilberto in 1965.
Hancock is a member of SЁka Gakkai International.
On July 22, 2011 at a ceremony in Paris, Hancock was named UNESCO Goodwill
Ambassador for the promotion of Intercultural Dialogue.
from
wikipedia.org
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