By Joanie Cox-Henry
Photo by Larry Marano
On Sept. 13, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts buzzed with a sophisticated level of anticipation as jazz icon Herbie Hancock took the stage to launch his latest tour. Hancock, who is 84, quickly proved he's still a force to be reckoned with, delivering a masterclass in musical innovation and showmanship.
Opening the night, Hancock addressed the eager crowd: "We're very happy to be here. This is the beginning of our tour. I haven't released any new material in a long time but I do change the arrangements." True to his word, the pianist treated fans to fresh takes on familiar favorites, starting with a tribute to his late friend and collaborator, Wayne Shorter.
"This arrangement is by Terence Blanchard, the gentleman with the trumpet," Hancock informed. "Nobody plays like him, and nobody does movie scores like Terence."
Hancock opened with "Footprints." He then performed "Overture" which he described as "prehistoric." He then joked that he presses a prehistoric button to make this happen. He commented on the amazing time he had playing with the legendary Miles Davis. "I really enjoyed playing with Miles," he recalled. "It's impossible to play everything I've done, but we made 'Overture' to give you some bits and pieces of things."
Throughout the evening, Hancock's virtuosic piano work was fully displayed. His band, comprised of top-tier musicians, matched his energy at every turn, creating a dynamic interplay that captivated the audience. Hancock's set list showcased his vast musical journey, from hard bop classics to funk-infused hits and beyond.
Hancock ruled the keys and keytar while Blanchard blew the crowd away on trumpet, James Genus rocked the bass, Lionel Loueke made magic on the guitar, and Jaylen Petinaud dazzled on drums. Experiencing this unit together is a melodious mammoth of a jazz machine.
As one of the first jazz musicians to experiment with synthesizers, which he also playfully did at this show, Herbie Hancock remains a pivotal figure in jazz's ongoing evolution. Some of the highlights of the show I found particularly thrilling were "Rockit" and "Sunlight."
Between numbers, Hancock regaled the crowd with anecdotes from his storied career, including fond memories of his friendship with the late bass genius Jaco Pastorius. These personal touches added warmth to an already intimate performance.
Hancock's enthusiasm was infectious, and his playing is still as clever, curious and inventive as ever. "We still have a lot to learn," Hancock said through a synthesizer. In a moment that encapsulated the spirit of the entire show, Hancock armed with his signature keytar, concluded the night with a surprising rock and roll jump into the air, proving that his passion for performance remains as vibrant and ageless as his music.
Seeing Herbie Hancock with my uncle Thad Danner was particularly significant to me since I remember listening to his music for the first time as a kid in the back seat of the Trans Am he owned with my aunt JD in the eighties. His license plate said "Jazzzzz" and he and JD introduced me to the jazz greats at an early age. He still has that plate registered on his vintage Volkswagen Beetle. They were my cool aunt and uncle who would take me to Las Olas on a Saturday night, bring me to jazz shows, and let me order virgin pina colada umbrella drinks. It laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for live music. I am forever grateful for the time we spent then and now.
Witnessing Herbie Hancock live at Broward Center is a priceless performance I will hold forever in my heart and a memory I will lean on when I'm in need of a joyful reminder to live more in the moment. As Herbie Hancock once wisely said, "Jazz is about being in the moment. And life is not about finding our limitations—it's about finding our infinity."
All images by Larry Marano:
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