Description
Book SynopsisThe musical output of jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock has toppled genre boundaries and influenced generations of musicians. A child prodigy who worked his way up through classical tradition, found a home for his insatiable creativity in jazz, and went on to influence musicians across numerous genres, Hancock's work continues to be a staple in mainstream music. In addition to his classical training and innovative jazz work, Hancock has explored many forms of music such as rock, funk and world music, always looking ahead rather than rehashing what has already been accomplished. In Experiencing Herbie Hancock, Eric Wendell looks beyond the successes and failures of Hancock's career in an effort to explore Hancock's musical design within the jazz community and within the popular mainstream. Wendell also explores Hancock's dramatic impact on the jazz community and how his efforts have fostered a cross-genre continuity among modern jazz practitioners.Hancock's chameleon attitude tow
Trade ReviewJazz pianist Herbie Hancock gets a respectful analysis from musician and writer Wendell (Patti Smith), who dissects the illustrious career of the constantly evolving contemporary legend.... This is an excellent overview of a successful musical maverick who made a career out of finding new ways of breaking the rules. * Publishers Weekly *
If anyone can be called a Renaissance man, it surely is the musical virtuoso Herbie Hancock. In this finely detailed account of his illustrious and wide-ranging career, Wendell first considers Hancock’s musical roots on the South Side of Chicago.... An absolute must for Hancock fans and everyone interested in jazz and fusion. * Booklist *
This is the first book to focus exclusively on Hancock's career from start to finish, and it is an eminently-readable, engaging resource for any fan or musician seeking to understand his deep legacy. Wendell hosts an excellent listening party disguised as an accessible, entertaining book that richly complements Hancock's own autobiography and the jazz-rock literature. -- John Howland, author of Ellington Uptown: Duke Ellington, James P. Johnson, and the Birth of Concert Jazz, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Brave Beginnings: Chicago, Mozart & Blue Note Chapter 2: Next Steps: Miles, (Re)Inventions & New Mediums Chapter 3: The Gil Evans Influence: Speak Like A Child Chapter 4: Mwandishi to Head Hunters: A Study in Subtlety Chapter 5: What’s Next?: Hancock Hurdles Towards the Majors Chapter 6: The Pop Promise of Herbie Hancock: The Disco/Synth Stew of Monster Chapter 7: A Video Star Is Born: The (Re) Introduction of Hancock for the MTV Generation Chapter 8: One For Their Mentor: A Tribute to Miles Chapter 9: Brothers in Arms: The Musical Tête-à-Tête of 1+1 Chapter 10: Hancock Courts to the Masses: The Hope of Possibilities Epilogue Selected Reading Selected Listening
