Artist: Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock (born April 12, 1940) is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and composer. Hancock started his career with trumpeter Donald Byrd's group. He joined the Miles Davis Quintet, where he helped redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section, and was one of the primary architects of the post-bop sound. In the 1970s,

Hancock experimented with jazz fusion, funk, and electro styles, utilizing a wide array of synthesizers and electronics. It was during this period that he released perhaps his best-known and most influential album, “Head Hunters,” with the group he formed in 1973, the Headhunters.

Like many jazz pianists, Hancock started with a classical education. Throughout his teens, Hancock never had a jazz teacher. However, he developed his ear and sense of harmony by listening to the records of jazz pianists, such as George Shearing, Erroll Garner, and Oscar Peterson.

He recorded his first solo album Takin' Off for Blue Note Records in 1962. "Watermelon Man" (from Takin' Off) was to provide Mongo Santamaría with a hit single, but more importantly for Hancock, Takin' Off caught the attention of Miles Davis, who was at that time assembling a new band. Hancock was introduced to Davis by the young drummer Tony Williams, a member of the new band.

Hancock received considerable attention when, in May 1963, he joined Davis's Second Great Quintet. Davis personally sought out Hancock, whom he saw as one of the most promising talents in jazz. That quintet is often regarded as one of the finest jazz ensemble. Hancock's next jazz-funk albums were “Man-Child” (1975) and “Secrets” (1976), which point toward the more commercial direction Hancock would take over the next decade.

On December 8, 2013, he was given the Kennedy Center Honors Award for achievement in the performing arts with artists like Snoop Dogg and Mixmaster Mike from the Beastie Boys performing his music.