Herbie Hancock: ‘I want to pass on the baton to the younger musicians and encourage them the way I was when I was their age’

Ahead of his performance at the NCPA in Mumbai, the legendary American jazz pianist spoke to media at a press conference about all things jazz, its evolution and his role as an older musician todayEven at 84, American jazz legend Herbie Hancock is a livewire not just on the stage, but also off the stage. It is probably because he is so fascinated with the arts even today, just like he was as a child. While Hancock reveals he started playing the piano as a seven-year-old, the musician was listening to Rhythm and Blues, popularly known as R ‘n’ B, but his parents were already listening to jazz music. However, it was a performance by his senior in college, who was playing British jazz pianist George Shearing’s music, that mesmerised him so much that he never looked back.Hancock is in India on behalf of the US Consulate to celebrate the life and legacy of American civil rights activist Martin Luther King. It coincides with the birth anniversary of the leader, whose birthday is celebrated on January 15, which is also observed as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The jazz pianist is in the city to perform along with legendary singer Dianne Reeves at the NCPA in Nariman Point. Celebrating jazz music, they will be accompanied by Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA Ensemble Class of 2025. Travelling to the island city after his first performance in Delhi on the birth anniversary, the octogenarian doesn’t look tired at all as he addresses media in a press conference earlier today.