Herbie Hancock will reunite with the original band from his seminal Head Hunters album for their first concert in 50 years at Hollywood Bowl on August 14th in honor of the album’s 50th anniversary.
Released in 1973, Head Hunters helped define the burgeoning jazz fusion movement, which fused jazz with elements of funk and rock, and birthed the group The Headhunters. The album featured Hancock on keyboards alongside Bennie Maupin on saxophone and clarinet, Harvey Mason on drums, Paul Jackson on bass, and Bill Summers on percussion. The band backed Hancock on multiple albums and went on to produce more groundbreaking music without him, replacing Harvey Mason with renowned drummer Mike Clark. Clark and Summers revived the group last year to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a lineup featuring Kyle Roussel on keys, Donald Harrison on alto saxophone, and Chris Severin on seven-string bass.
Now, Hancock and the original Head Hunters band will reunite for the first time in 50 years for an anniversary celebration of their own, with acclaimed bassist Marcus Miller filling in on bass for Paul Jackson, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 73.
“It’s hard for me to believe that 50 years later this record is still so widely celebrated,” Hancock said. “I really appreciate that the younger generation has discovered and embraced so much of my music, that was recorded and released so long ago. It’s encouraging to me to see a growing number of young people coming to my concerts and being fans of my music.”
The Hollywood Bowl show will be the band’s only appearance and is part of the venue’s recently announced summer season. Group packages and new Hollywood Bowl subscriptions are available now via the venue’s website or by phone at (323)-850-2000. “Create Your Own” packages for Hollywood Bowl’s summer season will be available starting Tuesday, March 19th at 10 a.m. PT. The venue box office will be open for single-ticket sales starting on Tuesday, May 7th at 10 a.m. PT. For more information and ticketing details, head here.
Watch Hancock and the band discuss the reunion show below.
Hancock also has upcoming spring tour dates in March and April. For a full list of shows and to purchase tickets, visit his website.
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