Downtown Live

Herbie Hancock – A Musical Institution of Innovation

by Brian Maloney

great way to discreetly inquire about someone’s age is to ask, “What do you think of Herbie Hancock?” Undoubtedly, if the person has been tuned into music over the last half of a century they will be able to articulate an opinion.

Hancock was foremost in the group of “young lions” that came on the jazz scene in the early sixties making a strong identity on piano; in the late sixties he was involved with Miles Davis’ pioneering work with electronic synthesizers to create the sound of jazz/rock fusion. The seventies saw him as the undisputed king of funk/jazz fusion of his very own invention, where in the eighties he took the new sounds of record scratches developed by Grand Master Flash and created the undisputed anthem of break dance music and one of the most avant garde videos that MTV has ever aired. In the nineties, he revisited his jazz roots well informed by all his experimentation and since 2000 he has pioneered the 5.1 surround-sound mix that Pro Tools allows in his live performances.

In short, Herbie Hancock not only has incredible musical ability, he has an insatiable urge to grow, innovate and discover the “next thing” in both technology and music.

As I watched a documentary that was shot during the making of Hancock’s 2005 record, I was absolutely astounded by the level of technology that was used to realize the recording. It was not the bells and whistles of the technology, but the ability of the artists to transcend it and actually focus on creating a new, incredible, rich recording. Granted, not every track was a success, but the sounds of the track he was working on with Brian Eno had the immediate freshness and wonder of the Talking Heads’ “Remain in the Light.” Carlos Santana was equally inspired to play on pieces that recall his days with John McLaughlin. For music fans of all ages, you would be astounded at what Christina Aguilera can produce on a ballad with top-notch musicians creating a lyrical, musical atmosphere. Using real-time video conferencing, they were able to have great sessions with musicians across the continent.

The key to Hancock’s success is that he continually brings everything that he has fostered and developed in his musical career to new situations.

In a recent interview with Wired Magazine, Hancock said, “I’ve been involved with technology for a long, long time, and I’m one of the people who really pushed musicians toward embracing the technology from the pioneering days and development of computers and digital technology.” But as the interview progressed, he reflected, “I had to decide some years ago whether I’d be the guy that’s making the music or the guy that’s programming the synthesizer that produces the music, and I figure I’d better be the one making the music.”

The date at Centennial Hall will include the standard touring band of Herbie Hancock, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Nathan Eastand on bass and Lionel Loueke on guitar. Expect an evening of great innovation brought to you on the newly installed sound system that UA Presents has installed in the venue.

The performance takes place on Wednesday, November 14 at 7:30pm. Centennial Hall is located at 1020 E. University Blvd. Visit www.UAPresents.org or call 621-331 for more information.

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