Introduction
In 2006, Herbie Hancock and his band played live at the AVO Session festival in Basel, Switzerland. The show was a commercial event where Hancock performed as an international guest. Herbie Hancock does not need a lengthy introduction — his 14 Grammy Awards and career spanning over five decades speak for themselves (Herbie Hancock, n.d.). The Swiss public had an opportunity to see one of the most influential jazz artists in action.
Piece-by-Piece Performance Review
Actual Proof
The first part was dominated by a simple yet groovy and incredibly catchy bass line by Nathan East. After that, the composition picked up the tempo as Herbie Hancock’s piano took the lead. However, I was most impressed by the chaotic drumming in the last third of the piece (Jazz3+, 2014). If Vinnie Colaiuta, the band’s drummer, were improvising, that would make an already powerful breakdown even more impressive.
Watermelon Man
The second piece followed suit in terms of structure, as the bass dominated the intro. Herbie Hancock layered keyboard sound over the chaotic rhythm section during the first part of the composition. Then he switched to the keytar to play an extended, masterful solo, making the crowd cheer mid-song (Jazz3+, 2014). The band’s guitarist, Lionel Loueke, closed the piece with an emotional, smooth improvisation.
Stitched Up
This song featured vocals, unlike the previous instrumental jazz pieces. Nathan East told the story of a man who fell in love with a seemingly perfect woman and could not resist her charm. Hancock’s cheerful piano solo spiced a catchy pop-style tune in the middle. The protagonist might have been facing a world of pain but was undoubtedly happy.
Maiden Voyage
A calm and gentle piano intro immediately catches the listener’s attention. However, the piece slowly picks up the tempo as other instruments come in. Drumming gets faster and more aggressive, and piano solos blaze like fire as excitement builds up. The voyage ends with Loueke’s gentle guitar playing for a while and giving way to Hancock’s cheerful keyboard.
Virgin Forest
This piece was unique — I was left almost speechless by how Lionel Loueke single-handedly portrayed the spirit of a tropical forest. He used his voice to impersonate animals and birds and played the guitar as a drum to convey the rhythm of wild nature (Jazz3+, 2014). After a few minutes, other band members joined a one-person orchestra, turning the composition into a classic jazz jam session.
Cantaloupe Island
Another instrumental jazz jam with an upbeat tempo, piano solos, a juicy bass line, and relentless drumming, this piece shares many similarities with Actual Proof.
Chameleon
The closing track followed a standing ovation given to the band by the crowd. Herbie Hancock took the keytar for a second time to play a high-energy piece of electronic jazz. Other band members joined him to give the concert a powerful ending in the modern style of jazz music.
Opinion on Performers
Whereas Herbie Hancock was the band leader whose name and skills attracted the crowd, other band members were outstanding. In particular, I enjoyed the rhythm section—Nathan East’s bass, and Vinnie Colaiuta’s drums created a catchy foundation upon which Hancock could lay his solos. The band members demonstrated incredible chemistry and enjoyed themselves. This positive vibe was reflected in the crowd’s reaction—people cheered loudly after every piece.
Conclusion
I enjoyed the concert’s flow and the musicians’ skill and versatility. Herbie Hancock and his band showed jazz in all its beauty, from calm and thoughtful piano parts to wild and energetic improvisations. All instruments sounded right, and band members demonstrated their impressive skills. Overall, this concert was a perfect fusion of classical music’s serious aesthetics and the showmanship of rock. Herbie Hancock’s band found a sweet spot between skillful musicianship and artistic expression.
References
Herbie Hancock. (n.d.). Herbie Hancock: An introduction. Web.
Jazz3+. (2014). Herbie Hancock – Live in concert 2006 [Video]. YouTube. Web.