Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz: A New Era for Jazz Education
Jazz legend Herbie Hancock to become the new namesake for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA.
Herbie Hancock, a 14-time Grammy Award winner and internationally renowned pianist and composer, has left an indelible mark on the world of jazz music. His innovative approach to electronic music, as showcased in his 1983 hit song "Rockit," established him as a pioneer in the genre.
In the '70s, Hancock's recordings combined electric jazz with funk and rock, pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz. This spirit of innovation continues to this day, as evidenced by the renaming of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz to the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz in 2019.
The change of name was a request from Hancock himself, in recognition of his decades-long contributions to jazz education and his leadership role in the organisation. The institute's new name reflects Hancock's stature as a jazz icon and educator.
The institute, located at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, offers a graduate programme where students can develop their own artistic voices under renowned jazz musicians, composers, and educators. The students work across genres with fellow musicians throughout the school, performing together around the world as part of the program.
The programme includes a formal outreach initiative, where students share what they learn, including through private music lessons for Los Angeles schoolchildren. This initiative is a testament to Hancock's history of nurturing and launching the careers of emerging jazz artists.
Hancock's influence extends beyond the institute, as he was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, becoming one of the pioneers of modern jazz improvisation. Alongside Herb Alpert and Wayne Shorter, he established the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA in 2011.
With the renaming of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA to the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA, effective January 1, 2019, the institute continues to honour Hancock's legacy and ongoing commitment to jazz education and outreach programs. Judith Smith, dean of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, looks forward to working with Hancock to expand opportunities for students.
Hancock's work has influenced decades of music, and his continued involvement in the institute ensures that his legacy will continue to shape the future of jazz education. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz stands as a testament to Hancock's pivotal influence in jazz and his active involvement in nurturing young musicians.
The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz showcases talented students, who creatively blend their music across various genres, emulating Hancock's innovative approach to jazz and electronic music. Herbie Hancock's impressive career, spanning multiple decades, includes his pioneering work in fusing jazz with funk and rock in the 70s, as well as his history of nurturing emerging jazz artists through education and outreach programs.
