Herbie Hancock left Chicago for New York about 65 years ago. He was in his early 20s, just building steam as a brilliant young modern jazz pianist. What followed was a legendary career, in groups led by Donald Byrd and Miles Davis and then with his own succession of bands. Now Hancock, 86, is one of our most acclaimed jazz elders — not just an NEA Jazz Master and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner but also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
Those last two appointments are why Hancock has returned to Chicago this week, for a flurry of activity surrounding International Jazz Day. He’s the originator of the global occasion, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, and will inspire events in more than 190 countries. As the global host city, Chicago will be the center of the action — and site of the All-Star Global Concert, which will be streamed on various platforms, including wrti.org. Watch here on Thursday, April 30, starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Hancock joins vocalist Kurt Elling, another son of Chicago, in presiding over the concert, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Among the many artists appearing are noted fellow Chicagoans like saxophonist Ernest Dawkins, guitarist Bobby Broom, vibraphonist Joel Ross and trumpeter Marquis Hill.
The concert, organized by musical director John Beasley, will also feature trumpeters Terence Blanchard, Til Brönner, Tiger Okoshi, and James Morrison; singers Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Gregory Porter and Lizz Wright; and pianists Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Robert Glasper, Helen Sung, Kris Bowers, and Jahari Stampley (winner of the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition). WRTI will share a full report from Chicago next week.