Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock is an American jazz musician, bandleader, and composer. His real name is Herbie Jeffery Hancock, which was named after the singer and actor Herb Jeffries. He was born on 12 April 1940 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. He completed his graduation with Electrical Engineering and Music at Grinnell College in 1960. He was also awarded a Doctorate of Fine Arts in 1972. He was considered a child prodigy at a “Young People’s Concert” in 1952. His first album was released in 1962 and was named “Takin' Off” for 'Blue Notes Record.'

In May 1963, he joined Davis' band 'Second Great Quintet' as a pianist. He also recorded many labels side-by-side for the 'Blue Note Label.' Some of his critically acclaimed but less popular albums are “My Point of View” in 1963, “Speak Like a Child” in 1968, and “The Prisoner” in 1969. His first film music came in 1966 for the movie “Blowup.” He has also composed musical themes for famous products like “Pillsbury,” “Virginia Slims Cigarettes,” and many others. 

In the 1970s, he experimented with jazz, fusion, funk, and electro styles. It was the time when his most influential album, “Head Hunters,” was released. He won “The Academy Award for Original Music Score” in 1986 for the soundtrack of the film “ 'Round Midnight.” He has also won 14 “Grammy Awards” for his exceptional work in the music industry.

He was the second person to win “The Grammy Award for Album of the Year” for his album “River: The Joni Letters” in 2007. Since 2012, he worked as a professor at “The University of California, Los Angeles,” where he teaches 'UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.' He is the chairman of “Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.” He has also written two books, namely “Herbie Hancock: Possibilities” which was published in 2014, and “Reaching Beyond: Improvisations on Jazz, Buddhism and a Joyous Life” in 2017.