Happy Birthday Herbie Hancock: Recording ‘Possiblities’ With Trey Anastasio, John Mayer & More

Chicago-born keyboard legend Herbie Hancock celebrates his birthday today. The 77-year-old musician just confirmed a number of upcoming Summer Tour dates that will find him performing across the U.S. throughout August. For Herbie’s birthday today, here’s a look back at the making of his all-star collaborative 2005 album Possibilities.

During his 50+ year career Hancock has worked with some of the top musicians in jazz, rock, pop and beyond, including Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield and countless others. This summer he’ll be joined on tour by drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist James Genus, guitarist Lionel Loueke and keyboardist/saxophonist Terrace Martin.

Back in 2005 Hancock released the studio album Possibilities that featured an all-star cast of supporting collaborators, with a different lineup recording together on each of the 10 tracks. Santana, Paul Simon, Sting, Annie Lennox, Trey Anastasio, John Mayer and Cyro Baptista were among the talented artists contributing to the project.

Here’s footage of the recording of “Gelo na Montanha” at Anastasio’s The Barn recording facility featuring Baptista on percussion, Steve Jordan on drums and John Patitucci on bass. The recording of the album closing track earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Instrumental. Take a look at how it came together:

The opening track on Possibilities was the John Mayer-assisted “Stitched Up.” Hancock and Meyer had not met prior to the recording session for the album. The guitarist joined Herbie in the studio with Jordan, bassist Willie Weeks and keyboardist Michael Bearden. Here’s footage of the session along with interviews with Mayer:

This clip covers the making of “Sister Moon,” which primarily featured Sting. The footage once again features Jordan, Patitucci and Baptista, as well as Loueke who details his involvement in the arrangement of the song. Watch the behind-the-scenes video here:

The complete documentary on the making of Possibilities can be viewed below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjlE-pNujdE