Herbie Hancock and the LA Philharmonic brought the best in Jazz to Downtown Los Angeles, and Hancock continues to wow audiences with his ever-expansive career.
At The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, he stepped into his role as the LA Phil’s creative chair for Jazz joined by Wayne Shorter on sax, Terrence Blanchard on trumpet, James Genus on standup bass and Vinnie Colaiuta on a drum set surrounded by glass walls. Sharing the stage with world touring conductor, James Gaffigan, the quintet shared a tremendous rapport in their fusion of orchestra and jazz ensemble. They opened with the LA Philharmonic, playing a newly commissioned work by Blanchard based on one of Hancock's unique improvisations.
The audience had been electrified by opener Snarky Puppy, a 12-piece jazz ensemble from Brooklyn, NY, who lauded Herbie Hancock as one of their great heroes.
For those who missed Herbie Hancock this time around, he will be back at the Hollywood Bowl with Kamasi Washington on Aug. 23.
Text by Mara Powers; Photo by Douglas Kirkland
*Disclaimer: The words expressed in photo blog reviews do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Music Connection Magazine.
