Herbie Hancock descended from the cosmos to rain deep electric jazz fusion into the open ears and minds of the sold out crowd at the UNC Greensboro Auditorium on Feb. 12. The jazz funk keyboard guru brought along an ace band of fellow virtuosi, including renowned multi-instrumentalist and producer Terrace Martin, astounding and inventive West African guitarist Lionel Loueke, bass authority James Genus from the Saturday Night Live band, and beloved and versatile drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.
Fluctuating between grand piano, synthesizer and even some vocals, Hancock astounded the crowd with his singular prescription of aggressive inside out alien jazz on songs including "Actual Proof", a set-closing "Cantaloupe Island", and a keytar-frenzied "Chameleon" encore. From lush soundscapes to electronic ambience to furious funk, Hancock's boundless creativity, genial personality and generous spirit shone through.
- Paul Kerr
- Photos by Jerry Friend and Lee Crumpton
