Clash Live in collaboration with WeAre8...
27 · 07 · 2025
Herbie Hancock exemplifies a musician who embodies living history without being overshadowed by his past. At 85 years old, he stands as one of the most celebrated figures in modern jazz, possessing seemingly limitless energy and exceptional skills—pianists half his age would find it challenging to navigate some of his complex changes and expressive playing.
As he arrives at London’s Barbican for the first of three performances, Herbie modestly expresses that it feels like he is “coming home.” This moment of reconnection coincides with a wonderfully progressive musical experience—this is not a simple repetition of the past; the band is firmly engaged in the present.
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The show opens with ‘Overture’, and you can almost sense the musicians getting warmed up, as their improvisational instincts come alive with ideas. Drummer Jaylen Petinaud is a captivating presence on stage, his energy and natural funk driving the performance into uncharted territories. Guitarist Lionel Loueke is astonishing—less a sideman and more a one-man orchestra, this Benin-born artist combines a profound respect for his roots with ambitious and technically sophisticated jazz innovation.
The set list primarily features Herbie Hancock’s works from the mid-70s, with tracks like ‘Actual Proof’ and ‘Butterfly’ receiving a renewed vibrancy. While addressing the audience about the jazz classic ‘Footprints’, Herbie reveals it was penned by his “best friend” Wayne Shorter, underscoring his prominent status in the annals of jazz history.
As the performance unfolds, the band shines with creative joy. Terence Blanchard is a commanding force on trumpet, while James Jenus provides a solid bass line, oscillating between rhythmic foundation and dynamic, fluid solos.
A fusion of ‘Hang Ups / Spider / Rockit’ encourages the audience to rise to their feet, as an enthusiastic Herbie Hancock showcases his keytar. The concert concludes with ‘Chameleon’; the band dazzles while the audience erupts in excitement—it’s an exhilarating finale that discards the limitations of the past in favor of embracing the present.
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Words: Robin Murray Photo Credit: Emile Holba
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Herbie Hancock is a unique musician who embodies living history yet remains unclouded by his past. He is one of the most legendary figures in contemporary jazz,