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The Legend Plays On: 86-year-old Herbie Hancock Showcases Jazz's Present and Future

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Jazz legend Herbie Hancock, 86, performed at the 18th Seoul Jazz Festival, captivating thousands with his blend of jazz, funk, and electronic music.
  • Hancock showcased his enduring experimental spirit, using a keytar and vocoder, and collaborating with his band to reinterpret classic hits and debut new material.
  • The performance highlighted the vitality of jazz, bridging generations and demonstrating its continuous evolution through Hancock's innovative approach.

Thousands of fans sang along to melodies, even without lyrics, as jazz icon Herbie Hancock, 86, closed the 18th Seoul Jazz Festival on a recent Sunday night. The Grammy-winning legend performed his iconic 1973 hit "Chameleon" from the album "Head Hunters," a landmark piece symbolizing jazz's embrace of funk and electronic sounds.

Hello. You are part of our family.

· Herbie HancockHancock greeted the audience in Korean at the start of his performance.

Hancock, who has received 14 Grammy Awards, moved across the stage with a keytar, engaging in improvisations with his band. His performance was marked by a playful energy, confidence, and a persistent drive for experimentation. He greeted the audience in Korean, calling them "part of our family." His 5-piece band included saxophonist Devin Daniels, bassist James Genus, guitarist Lionel Loueke, and drummer Jaleel Shaw.

This is a song where every performer gets a chance to express themselves with their instrument.

· Herbie HancockHancock introduced the song 'Actual Proof,' highlighting its improvisational nature.

The setlist featured reinterpretations of classics like "Watermelon Man" and "Actual Proof," the latter allowing each band member extended improvisational solos. Hancock also debuted unreleased tracks, including "Felix," where he used a vocoder to blend his voice with synthesizers, exploring futuristic sounds. Another new piece, "Secret Sauce," blended ambient textures, unique guitar tones, and electronic elements, with Loueke's guitar playing described as both percussive and vocal-like, prompting questions about the future of jazz.

This is not my real voice.

· Herbie HancockHancock humorously introduced his use of a vocoder on the unreleased song 'Felix.'

Medleys of his later hits, such as "Hang Up Your Hang Ups," "Rockit," and "Spider," further energized the crowd. "Rockit," known for its use in popular culture, exemplified Hancock's success in merging electronic music with hip-hop influences, expanding jazz's reach. The concert concluded with Hancock bringing his grandson on stage, a poignant moment symbolizing the generational continuity of music. Hancock expressed his love for the audience, promising future performances and leaving attendees with a sense of jazz's enduring vitality and its passage to the next generation.

Have you ever seen someone play the guitar like this?

· Herbie HancockHancock expressed admiration for guitarist Lionel Loueke's unique playing style.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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