A few thoughts about Herbie Hancock's outstanding concert Friday night at the Minnesota Zoo:
- The repertoire was the right mix of "hits" ("Cantaloupe Island," "Chameleon") and lesser known and new material. The music was intellectual yet accessible. And some of it, especially "Chameleon," was downright funky. The quintet played for nearly two hours, with the first piece "Overture" (a pastiche of various pieces) lasting nearly a half hour. The group received a well-deserved standing ovation after each of the six selections performed.
- Hancock has assembled a terrific band of excellent players who listen to each other and clearly have chemistry.
- Lionel Loueke, who was born in Benin, is a special guitarist who, as Hancock explained to the standing-room-only crowd, makes sounds like you've never heard from a guitar. He created video-game like blips and touch-tone phone beeps as well as more familiar guitar sounds that were ethereal in a Carlos Santana kind of way.
- Loved the rhythm section, with bassist James Genus, who is in the "Saturday Night Live" band, playing melodic and funky at the same time and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, who has worked with Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell and Sting, offering the right combo of subtle and solid.
- The new kid in the band was Terrace Martin, 38, whom Hancock introduced as producer of hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar's celebrated "To Pimp a Butterfly" and Hancock's forthcoming album. Martin played alto sax and keyboards, adding texture, depth and variety. The smiling musician sometimes seemed more in awe than awe-inspiring.
- At 77, Hancock remains a magical musician. Playing electric piano, grand piano and keytar, he mixed bop and funk, classical and jazz, melody and funk, flash and finesse. What a marvelous musical treasure.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Variety
Minneapolis
Pickleball craze breathes new life into old downtown Minneapolis office buildings
After a major tenant bailed, Mike Marinovich transformed the second floor of 1200 Washington Av. S. into the sound-proof Minneapolis Pickleball Club, and it's beckoning people back to the city.
Inspired
How you can help
The Inspired volunteer calendar offers many opportunities to make a difference.
TV & Media
Joe Mauer makes brief appearance on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'
The Hall of Famer plugged his new book alongside co-author Joe Schmit.
Business
US changes how it categorizes people by race and ethnicity. It's the first revision in 27 years
For the first time in 27 years, the U.S. government is changing how it categorizes people by race and ethnicity, an effort that federal officials believe will more accurately count residents who identify as Hispanic and of Middle Eastern and North African heritage.
Variety
Flo Milli's new album proves the 'Never Lose Me' rising artist's dreams of greatness are coming true
Flo Milli always felt different from her peers growing up, believing she was destined for greatness. For her, the writing was always on the walls — and in the stalls.