Herbie Hancock

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Biography

Herbie Hancock is an American jazz musician, bandleader, and composer.

Herbert "Herbie" Jeffrey Hancock was born on 12 Apr 1940 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Winnie Belle (Griffin), a secretary, and Wayman Edward Hancock, a government meat inspector. His parents named him after the singer and actor Herb Jeffries.

He started playing piano when he was seven years old. His talent was recognized early and he was considered a child prodigy. At age 11 he performed at a young people's concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on 05 February 1952.

He attended Hyde Park High School and graduated from Grinnell College in 1960 with degrees in electrical engineering and music. He also took courses at Roosevelt University.

In 1962 he recorded his first solo album "Takin' Off" for Blue Note Records.

In May 1963 he joined Miles Davis' "Second Great Quintet" which is often regarded as one of the finest jazz ensembles yet. When Davis began incorporating elements of rock and popular music into his recordings, Hancock had some initial reluctance. Upon Davis' insistence, Hancock adapted quickly to the new instruments, which proved to be important in his future artistic endeavors.

Herbert "Herbie" Jeffrey Hancock married on 31 August 1968 to Gigi Hancock Meixner and they had one daughter.

In 1972 Grinnell College also awarded him an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

Since 1972 he has practiced Nichiren Buddhism as a member of the Buddhist association Soka Gakkai International. As part of his spiritual practice, he recites the Buddhist chant, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, each day.

On 05 June 2010 he received an Alumni Award from his alma mater Grinnell College.

On 22 July 2011 at a ceremony in Paris, France, he was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the promotion of Intercultural Dialogue.

In 2013 he joined the University of California, Los Angeles faculty as a professor in the UCLA music department teaching jazz music.

On 08 December 2013 he was given the Kennedy Center Honors Award for achievement in the performing arts with artists like Snoop Dogg and Mixmaster Mike from the "Beastie Boys" performing his music.

He is also the chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz (known as the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz until 2019).

Sources

• Wikidata: Item Q105875, en:Wikipedia for Herbie Hancock