Herbie Hancock: Standing Ovation
Words by Rahsaan “Wordslave” Eldridge
Photos by Steve Satzberg
Patrons recently filled Baltimore’s Meyerhoff Symphony Hall to see jazz icon Herbie Hancock. His all-star band featured Saturday Night Live house bassist James Genus; Grammy-nominated guitarist and vocalist Lionel Loueke; Grammy-winning composer and trumpeter Terence Blanchard, who also played auxiliary keys; and Modern Drummer magazine’s 2024 Best Jazz Drummer, Jaylen Petinaud.
On July 28, the opening Head Hunters tune, “Watermelon Man,” featured Blanchard as a soloist and Hancock setting fire to the piano, electric keyboard and keytar. Hancock shared a laugh with the audience when he welcomed everyone and announced that the band would be playing rearrangements of some old — and “old-er” — tunes.
Funky interplay between bass and drums kicked off “Actual Proof” at an urgent tempo before the band splashed into the main theme, followed by an emphatic piano solo from Hancock. Each member took a solo, including Petinaud, who earned a standing ovation.
“I’m too old for you to work me like this,” Hancock joked about Petinaud, who is nearly 60 years his junior.
Watch Herbie Hancock perform “Actual Proof” live at Montreux Jazz Festival on YouTube:
Hancock praised each member of the band, introducing them between songs and frequently moving closer to his fellow musicians during the selections, creating moments of intimate musical conversation.
“Phoelix,” a working title for a new composition, was arranged by Loueke and featured him and Hancock on synthesized vocals.
Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” was rearranged by Blanchard into a head-nodding groove fit for an emcee such as Q-Tip, Yasiin Bey or Guru.
The seductive “Butterfly” evoked red wine and romantic evening conversation. Blanchard’s solo sounded like someone begging a lover to stay.
The closing medley of “Hang Up Your Hang Ups,” “Spider” and “Rockit” was arranged by Loueke. Hancock carried the energy of a sensei whose students’ years of study had earned them mastery in their own right. He played proudly and joyously, and his energy electrified the hall all night.
Loueke joined Hancock as the 86-year-old jazz legend literally jumped up and down during a keytar solo to end the show. The audience erupted into a well-deserved standing ovation.
Here are some photos of Herbie Hancock performing live at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on July 28, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
