Now in the seventh decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960's. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet that pioneered a groundbreaking sound in jazz, he also developed new approaches on his own recordings, followed by his work in the 70s — with record-breaking albums such as "Headhunters" — that combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. "Rockit" and "Future Shock" marked Hancock's foray into electronic dance sounds; during the same period he also continued to work in an acoustic setting with V.S.O.P.
Hancock received an Academy Award for his Round Midnight film score and 14 Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year for "River: The Joni Letters," and two 2011 Grammy Awards for the globally collaborative CD, "The Imagine Project."
Band Information
Herbie Hancock – Keys
James Genus – Bass
James Genus is a versatile bassist, equally skilled on electric and acoustic. He has performed and recorded with jazz legends and pop icons, including Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Whitney Houston, and John McLaughlin, and appeared on Daft Punk’s Grammy-winning Random Access Memories. Genus is also a longtime member of the Saturday Night Live Band.
Lionel Loueke – Guitar
Lionel Loueke, originally from Benin, began on vocals and percussion before picking up guitar at 17. After studying jazz in Ivory Coast, Paris, and at Berklee, he joined the Thelonious Monk Institute, forming lasting creative partnerships. Named a Rising Star guitarist by DownBeat (2008–09) and praised by Herbie Hancock as “a musical painter,” Loueke blends African rhythms, sophisticated harmonies, and inventive guitar techniques into his signature warm, evocative sound.
Terence Blanchard – Trumpet
Terence Blanchard is an eight-time Grammy-winning trumpeter, composer, and two-time Oscar nominee, known for his boundary-breaking work across jazz, film, opera, Broadway, and orchestras. Praised as “the most exciting American composer working in opera today,” he creates music that speaks to human rights, civil rights, and social justice, including the powerful album Breathless.
Jaylen Petinaud – Drums
Brooklyn-born drummer Jaylen Petinaud fuses jazz, gospel, R&B, and hip-hop rhythms. Touring internationally with top artists, he’s recognized for his energetic, expressive style and Broadway performances as the drummer for Alicia Keys' Tony- and Grammy-winning Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen.
