Herbie Hancock: ‘It's time to pass the baton'

Ahead of his performance at the NCPA in Mumbai, the legendary American jazz pianist spoke to media at a press conference about all things jazz, its evolution and his role as an older musician today

Even at 84, American jazz legend Herbie Hancock is a livewire not just on the stage, but also off the stage. It is probably because he is so fascinated with the arts even today, just like he was as a child. While Hancock reveals he started playing the piano as a seven-year-old, the musician was listening to Rhythm and Blues, popularly known as R ‘n’ B, but his parents were already listening to jazz music. However, it was a performance by his senior in college, who was playing British jazz pianist George Shearing’s music, that mesmerised him so much that he never looked back. 

Hancock is in India on behalf of the US Consulate to celebrate the life and legacy of American civil rights activist Martin Luther King. It coincides with the birth anniversary of the leader, whose birthday is celebrated on January 15, which is also observed as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The jazz pianist is in the city to perform along with legendary singer Dianne Reeves at the NCPA in Nariman Point. Celebrating jazz music, they will be accompanied by Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA Ensemble Class of 2025. Travelling to the island city after his first performance in Delhi on the birth anniversary, the octogenarian doesn’t look tired at all as he addresses media in a press conference earlier today. 

Finding joy in jazz and connection to India 
It is also probably because he is busy celebrating the art form every day of his life and coming to India on his sixth visit is only natural, as King was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles. Translating it through his music, he says, “The arts have such a powerful effect on the life of human beings. The history of the music here in India has links to jazz. I have had the privilege of playing with Indian musicians like Zakir Hussain and it is amazing to listen to him play, and he is so creative and inspiring, and he has such a big heart.” Such is the coincidence that Hancock reveals one of the first Indian musicians he actually listened to was Hussain’s father, Pandit Allah Rakha. “It was a recording, and this was years ago, when I was in my 20s. I was always fascinated by Indian music because I wanted to know what the ragas were. So, it was pretty fascinating for me to discover.”

This curiosity about music has led the musician to enjoy jazz more every single day since he started out. The legendary pianist believes in order to play music like jazz you have to have the heart, and the feeling of ‘whatever happens, you have to make it work’. “Even if it is a mistake, you find treasure, and you have to have that spirit, and everybody has that spirit but to bring it out is not always easy. People are afraid to make mistakes, but we don’t think of using that word for the final decision. It is part of the movement of the music. What might be a mistake may turn into a treasure,” adds Hancock, addressing a question from the media.

So, it is no wonder when he says jazz music can be very complicated, but it can also be very simple. It is not so much about the technical aspect of jazz; it is more about the feeling. “I try to do various things. Sometimes, I think, ‘hmm, what would happen if I did this’ and then when I do it, that is not supposed to happen but then I do it and then that leads to something else. So, I take something that is not supposed to work and then turn it into something new. It is fascinating to be able to play music like this.”  

Passing on the baton 
This very zest for jazz music reflects in the fact that the pianist who is known for hits like ‘Cantaloupe Island’, ‘Chameleon’ and ‘Watermelon Man’ among others, has not only won an Academy Award but also 14 Grammy Awards throughout his career. Interestingly, his evolution can be attributed to his early years during which he would be surrounded by older musicians, who have been his mentors. 

He reminisces, “I first joined a professional band when I was younger and moved from my hometown in Chicago to New York, which is known as the ‘Mecca of Jazz’, and now there are two meccas with New York and Los Angeles. From the beginning of my career, I thought, ‘what can I learn from the other musicians around me’. The older musicians were the ones that helped me the most. They always encouraged me, and always told me ‘We have your back’ and it was so reassuring, and now I am one of the older musicians. I know now what I want to do is pass the baton to the younger musicians and encourage them the way I was when I was their age. It is really something I want to do at this age.” 

Hancock admits that he doesn’t mind being on the sidelines, instead of being in the front and centre. He adds, “I want to watch younger musicians bloom like flowers and come together like a garden.” 

Being a musician for over six decades has also led the pianist to introspect about his life and he has come to a certain realization. “As you continue your progress, the most important discovery for me was that what I really am is a human being, and what I do is play music. Before, what I really thought was that I am a musician and that is not true. The main thing is that you are a musician and that is what makes the music flow, and the humanity, that is what is most important,” he concludes. 

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