He's the octogenarian jazz legend whose six-decade career takes in working with Miles Davis and composing a string of standards.
At 84, Herbie Hancock hasn't given up tickling the ivories, and is set to perform a trio of dates at the Barbican in July.
The Chicago-born pianist and composer performs a three-night residency as part of the Summer Jazz Series.
Hancock, whose last performance at the Barbican in 2023 was described as “completely engrossing” by The Guardian, celebrates his 85th birthday in April.
It's also 51 years since his first London show at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park. So expect the gig to include the full range of his back catalogue, which includes Watermelon Man, Canteloupe Island and Rockit.
Since first performing in London he has become a music icon, collected 14 Grammy awards, and transcended genres to influence acoustic and electronic jazz, fusion, funk and R&B.
His 2007 tribute to Joni Mitchell River: The Joni Letters won Album of the Year at The Grammys and his work organising the rhythm section of the Miles Davis Quintet is credited with helping to create one of the finest jazz ensembles of all time.
As Miles Davis said in his autobiography: “Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven’t heard anybody yet who has come after him."
Hancock's Barbican run is part of the Summer Jazz Series 2025 with Serious, featuring handpicked global jazz stars playing dates in June and July including the Brad Mehldau Trio, Madeleine Peyroux and Tigran Hamasyan.
Herbie Hancock plays Barbican Hall from July 24-26. Tickets from £40 from www.serious.org.uk
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