Genius keyboardist Herbie Hancock has been on the forefront of so many jazz revolutions it’s hard to relate—from post-bop Blue Note rush with the Miles Davis Quintet to the avant-garde yet supremely accessible Afrocentric flights of beloved LP Headhunters. As he prepares to celebrate that album’s 50th anniversary at the Hollywood Bowl this week—and marks the 40th anniversary of the “Rockit” single and video that shook MTV’s segregated playlist to the core and introduced the country to scratching and sampling—the UCLA professor of music popped into Stern Grove to light up the crowd with some true legend vibes. (Oh yes, there was keytar.) 48 Hills’ Andrew Brobst was on the scene. The 2024 Stern Grove Fest continues through August with Lucinda Williams, Sylvan Esso and Poolside, and Chaka Khan. —Marke B.
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst 
Herbie Hancock at Stern Grove, August 11. Photo by Andrew Brobst
Watch our Stern Grove Essentials video below:
