Herbie Hancock Reuniting Original Head Hunters Band For 1st Concert In 50 Years

Renowned keyboardist and composer Herbie Hancock helped define the jazz fusion movement with the release of his groundbreaking Head Hunters album in 1973. Hancock will reunite with the surviving musicians who backed him on Head Hunters for the first time in over 50 years at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on August 14.

Herbie Hancock was accompanied on the LP collecting iconic compositions “Chameleon,” “Watermelon Man,” “Sly” and “Vein Melter” by saxophonist Bennie Maupin, drummer Harvey Mason, bassist Paul Jackson and percussionist Bill Summers. Sadly, Paul Jackson died at age 73 on March 18, 2021. Hancock recruited frequent musical partner Marcus Miller to handle bass duties at the Hollywood Bowl this summer.

The Hollywood Bowl show “will be the band’s only appearance,” as per a note on the venue’s website. While Hancock continued to employ the Head Hunters for multiple albums following the initial effort, and encouraged the band to record/tour on their own, the lineup went through numerous personnel changes. Harvey Mason stepped away from the outfit shortly after the release of Head Hunters with Mike Clark joining on drums.

Watch Hancock and members of the Head Hunters band discuss the show below:

Tickets for the special concert are on sale now as part of subscription packages. Purchase Herbie Hancock & Head Hunters ticket packages via the venue’s website.

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