Herbie Hancock to Reunite With ‘Head Hunters’ Band for First Time in 50 Years

Hana Gustafson on February 8, 2024
Herbie Hancock to Reunite With ‘Head Hunters’ Band for First Time in 50 Years

For the first time in 50 years, jazz icon Herbie Hancock will reunite with the surviving players from his Head Hunters recording: Harvey Mason, Bennie Maupin and Bill Summers, in addition to bassist Marcus Miller, who will fill in for the late Paul Jackson, for a one-night stand at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, on Aug. 14, 2024. 

The impending concert draws upon the unit’s groundbreaking amalgamation of jazz-funk fusion work from the 1973 set, Hancock’s 12th studio album, which was recorded at Wally Heider Studios and Different Fur Trade Co. in San Francisco and notably launched the bandleader to commercial and mainstream triumph. 

Head Hunters placed No. 13 on the Billboard 200 due to the collaborative efforts of the aforementioned players, who would go on to be known as The Headhunters, and also appear on Hancock’s follow-up. The celebrated set, circa ’73 brought forth compositional favorites such as “Watermelon Man,” “Chameleon,” “Sly” and “Vein Melter” which will be carried to the live stage once again come August. 

Tickets are on sale now for The Hollywood Bowl performance. Follow this link for more information. 

Scroll down to view the band’s announcement via Instagram.