Hancock’s letter

Herbie Hancock (left) and Louiz Banks

Herbie Hancock is not just one of the most legendary names in the history of jazz music, but he also has a strong India connection. The pianist has played multiple times in the country, including with Ustad Zakir Hussain in a memorable concert in Delhi in 2009, which was dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. But local jazz maestro Louiz Banks’s son, Neil, revealed to this diarist of another India association; this has a Mumbai link. Hancock is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and organises International Jazz Day annually on April 30. The older Banks started the event’s Mumbai chapter, and Hancock would thus send him a letter of appreciation ever year, till he started sending the same to Neil after he took over the organisational duties five years ago. This year’s letter reveals how Jazz Day events were celebrated in 192 countries, and addressed issues including gender equality and sustainable development. Neil shared, “He started the initiative to promote peace and harmony, and help cut off racism from the world.”