Herbie Hancock: Jazz legend talks about spirituality and innovation!

Herbie Hancock: Jazz legend talks about spirituality and innovation!

Herbie Hancock, one of the most colorful personalities in jazz, recently revealed in an interview for the German Press Agency that he simply doesn't feel like comparing himself to other musicians. At 85, Hancock doesn't see life in hierarchical categories. Instead, he suggests asking yourself the question: “Are you a better person today than you were yesterday?” This attitude is part of his philosophy, which is shaped by his practiced Buddhism, within which he has lived as a member of Soka Gakkai International for over 50 years. In the spirit of his mentor Daisaku Ikeda, who died on November 15, 2023, Hancock reflects on the importance of compassion and transformation in the lives of individual people - topics that Ikeda also addressed in his work "The Human Revolution".

Hancock began playing the piano at the age of seven and developed a passion for jazz when he was just 14. His career took a decisive turn when he joined Miles Davis' legendary band at the age of 23. This was a turning point for him, as Davis helped him transform perceived musical mistakes into something magical. Hancock is not only a magnificent musician and composer who has won over 14 Grammys and an Academy Award, but also a pioneer who combines jazz with funk and electronic music. His innovative spirit has always allowed him to explore new sounds and experiment with different styles. He describes this as a normality in his career.

Redefining jazz

The roots of jazz are deeply rooted in the 19th century and emerged in an environment characterized by slavery and racial discrimination in the USA. Jazz shaped the music of the 20th century and developed through diverse influences, including street musicians and brass bands. As part of this development, Hancock is a true pioneer of the jazz experiment. The solidarity among jazz musicians is particularly important to him, and he wants to motivate the next generation of musicians to experience the same freedom in making music that he was able to enjoy himself.

As is often the case in the jazz scene, Hancock was influenced by the mutual support of older musicians during his early days. This encouragement is something he wants to pass on to the younger ones. He will soon be on stage, specifically on July 1st in Hamburg and July 7th in Munich. The anticipation for these concerts is great because Hancock always brings fresh energy and creativity to his performances.

Buddhism and music

Herbie Hancock’s identity goes far beyond making music. He sees himself not only as a musician, but also as a husband, father and neighbor - a multifaceted personality who challenges ideas of identity. Ikeda's teachings about the intrinsic value of each individual and the power of faith to transform painful circumstances are deeply rooted in Hancock's life and work. For him, music is a means to embody faith and hope, and through his art he conveys the importance of believing in the good in people.

At a time when the jazz landscape is changing through digitalization and platforms like Spotify, Hancock's commitment is important not only to music, but also to intercultural dialogue. As a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, he actively promotes exchange and understanding between different cultures. He remains true to the roots of jazz, whose core value is improvisational freedom and the expression of one's emotions.

Herbie Hancock is more than just a jazz musician - he is a living example of how music can change the world and an ambassador for peace and compassion in an often turbulent world.