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Herbie Hancock

American jazz pianist and composer · United States · On the map · Musicians · Born 1940 · age 86

Herbert Jeffrey Hancock is an American jazz musician, bandleader, and composer. He started his career with trumpeter Donald Byrd's group. Hancock soon joined the Miles Davis Quintet, where he helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the post-bop sound.

Herbie Hancock is read about 1,666 times a day, in 55 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 400 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2025Polar Music PrizeAward2014“We all have natural human tendency to take the safe route - to do the thing we know will work - rather than taking a chance.”In their wordsPossibilities (2014) by Hancock, with Lisa Dickey, p. 2

2010Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with VocalsAward2008Grammy Hall of FameAward2007“redefined swing for modern jazz pianists for the latter half of the 20th century up until today.”In their words24 December 2007HerbieHancock.com

Grammy Award for Album of the YearAward2004“I didn't know whether Wayne was crazy or a genius. I knew something was there, but I couldn't get a handle on it. We were playing some club outside of Boston.”In their wordsOn , as quoted in Footprints: The Life and Work of Wayne Shorter (2004) by Michelle Mercer, pp. 103-104

2002Grammy Award for Best Jazz PerformanceAward2000“By the time I actually heard , I started picking that stuff out; my ear was happening.”In their wordsAs quoted in Jazz-Rock Fusion, the people, the music (2000) by Julie Coryell and Laura Friedman, p. 204

1999Soul Train Music Award for Best Jazz AlbumAward1998Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental AlbumAward1997Soul Train Music Award for Best Jazz AlbumAward1994Star on Hollywood Walk of FameAward1987Grammy Award for Best Instrumental CompositionAward1985“I'm not a chauffeur. Nobody would have bought any of my records if I were. I'd have had nothing to say. I'm supposed to be presenting things to the public, not accepting requests.”In their wordsJanuary 1985Speaking with Bill Flanagan, c. January 1985; op. cit., p. 90

1984MTV Video Music Award for Best Art DirectionAwardMTV Video Music Award for Best EditingAwardMTV Video Music Award for Most Experimental VideoAward1983Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental PerformanceAward1978“Hey, man; I would never dare to sing alone and unaided. I mean, nobody would want to hear the sound of my natural voice.”In their words29 July 1978Call and Post

1940Born12 April 1940

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In their own words 2

,
Herbie Hancock
,
2 statements, newest first

  1. I remember we were at some club in Detroit, and playing all kinds of crazy things behind George, while behind Miles we played really straight.

    "Herbie Hancock: A Man for All Seasons, Be They Heavy or Lighthearted, Hip Jazz or Hip-Hop, Natural or Digital" by , Musician (January, Own words

  2. A few months ago, Wayne Shorter and I were being interviewed after performing in a quartet at the .

    Op. cit., pp. IX-X, Own words

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Awards

Polar Music Prize2025
Kennedy Center Honors2013
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance2010
Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals2010
Grammy Hall of Fame2008
Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album2007
Grammy Award for Album of the Year2007
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance2004
NEA Jazz Masters2004
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance2002
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album2002
Soul Train Music Award for Best Jazz Album1999
Grammy Hall of Fame1998
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album1998
Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals1998
Soul Train Music Award for Best Jazz Album1997
Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition1996
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album1994
Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame1994
Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition1987
Academy Award for Best Original Score1987
César Award for Best Music Written for a Film1987
MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing1984
MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction1984
MTV Video Music Award for Best Concept Video1984
MTV Video Music Award for Most Experimental Video1984
Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance1984
MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects1984
Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance1983
Library of Congress Living Legend

About this person

In the 1970s, he experimented with jazz fusion, funk, and electro styles using a wide array of synthesizers and electronics. It was during this time that he released one of his best-known and most influential albums, Head Hunters.

Country
United States
Category
Musicians
Type
Singer / Musician
Status
Living
Dates
Born 1940 · age 86

Where to find them

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In the same film or series as Herbie

Miles DavisAlso in Miles Davis - At La Villette (1991)Leo WoodallAlso in Tuner (2026)Michael StuhlbargAlso in Miles Ahead (2016)Oliver PlattAlso in Indecent Proposal (1993)Dane DeHaanAlso in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)