Live
Herbie Hancock: Barbican Centre, London 22/6/22
Snoop Dogg once publicly thanked Herbie Hancock for creating hip-hop. One of the most important jazz musicians of the past century, and just a glance back over his career is nothing but astonishing.
He cut his teeth with legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd, and was an integral member of Miles Davis' quintet, featuring on iconic albums "In A Silent Way" and "On The Corner".
From there he went on to create some incredible records on his own steam, with more than 50 albums under his belt. These include groundbreaking works such as "Head Hunters" and "Secrets" in the 1970s, and excitingly he has enlisted talents such as Kamasi Washington and Kendrick Lamar on his next project.
It was little surprise, then, to see the Barbican Centre in central London packed when the jazz luminary, now aged 82, came to town days before his Glastonbury performance.
He may have the best part of seven decades in the music business and more than 50 albums to his name, but his love for his art has not diminished one bit.
His quintet, boasting Terence Blanchard on trumpet and Lionel Loueke on guitar took the crowd on a musical tour-de-force. At first glance, the 7.30pm starting time seemed unusually early, but it soon became clear it was necessary to accommodate the two-and-a-half-hour performance.
Hancock, who has 14 Grammys on his mantlepiece, opened with an epic half-hour "Overture", with Justin Tyson's astonishing drumming holding the piece together throughout.
Each member of the group was given space to show off what they could do, with Hancock often adopting the look of a proud father as the musical mastery unfolded around him. That's not to say he didn't do his fair share of heavy lifting, with his distinctive futuristic piano playing and keytar work delivered with flare.
The band's version of "Cantaloupe Island" was a huge success, and showed that despite his advancing years, the musical legend remains at the top of his game.
The show was a tantalising preview of what's to come in the EFG London Jazz Festival in November when some of the genre's top musicians will perform at venues across the capital.
PHOTOS: DAVE BURKE
Words Dave Burke
