Some Serious Jazz

Herbie Hancock and his quartet were recently in town playing the Blue Note in the village and they did not disappoint. His rendition of "I Love You" sent a shudder through the audience with its synthesis of complexity and soulfulness. The saxophonist Craig Handy began with an impressive short introduction, but it was soon evident that Hancock's piano was the star of the show. Backed up by the standing bass of Jeff Littleton, Herbie displayed his uncanny talent for building anticipation, teasing with climactic relief and then bringing it back. Far from simple, the music demanded keen attention to fully appreciate its beauty and unity. Hancock's real competition came from Gene Jackson on drums who went on a 15 minute solo tirade which totally blew the room away. Jackson's drum playing asserted jazz's challenge: that drums lay down far more than just a beat. By furiously switching between mallets, sticks, and brushes, Jackson was able to create a melodic sound which held the audience captive with its sheer power. Far from sounding like rock or tribal music, Jackson used a fusion swing-time beat to forge the vibrations into their own musical presence. A rag hanging off the side of his kit was utilized frequently to catch the hard earned perspiration emanating from his bald head. The profuse beat mercifully ended with a gratified roaring applause.

Hancock and his quartet raged on for an hour-and-a-half, culminating in a slow encore that was a befitting finale to a night of such of excitement. This was the band's last gig in New York for the next year, and those attending the sold out show got their money's worth.

Hancock was born in Chicago in 1940. He began studying piano at the age of seven, and by 11 he was playing Mozart with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Soon Hancock turned his attention to jazz, and came under the wing of legendary trumpeter Donald Bird. His reputation came to the attention of Miles Davis, who asked him to join his band, which would become one of the most influential jazz groups of the 60's. Though performing with Davis would have been enough for most musicians, Herbie continued pursuing his own recordings which resulted in a vast body of work, including "Headhunters," the largest selling album in jazz history. In 1987 Hancock won an Academy Award for his film soundtrack "Round Midnight" and recently put out a best-selling and critically acclaimed album entitled 1+1.