Possibilities

The warmly welcomed memoir by one of the most influential and beloved musicians of our time In Herbie Hancock: Possibilities , the legendary jazz musician and composer reflects on an extraordinary life and a thriving career that has spanned seven decades. A true innovator who has spent a lifetime exploring a range of musical genres, and enriching each of them, Hancock has had an enormous influence on acoustic and electric jazz, R&B, funk, and hip-hop. From his beginnings as a child prodigy to his early classic Blue Note recordings; from his work in Miles Davis’s second great quintet to his innovations as the leader of his own groundbreaking sextet; from era-defining classic albums like Head Hunters and River: The Joni Letters to his collaborations with artists like Wayne Shorter and Stevie Wonder, Hancock reveals the methods behind his ever-evolving musical genius. He discusses his influences, his happy marriage, and how his practice of Buddhism has inspired him both creatively and personally. Honest, enlightening, and as electrifyingly vital as its author, this is an invaluable contribution to jazz literature and an intimate, insightful portrait of a creative life.

“Herbie Hancock has led a fascinating life. And the story of that life makes a fascinating book.”—Peter Keepnews, The New York Times Book Review (Editor’s Choice) 

“Few jazz biographies are perfect, though Hancock’s Possibilities come closer than some.” —Kevin Whitehead, Fresh Air 

“[Possibilities *is] very effective at its paramount task: getting the reader to dig into the catalog of this restless jazz genius with newly edified ears.”—*The Boston Globe 

“Hancock, a Buddhist, writes about his spiritual journey in Possibilities but isn’t preachy about his its effect on his life, relationships, music and philosophy. His stories of famous jazz artists are done with reverence and a sense of reporting, for the record, many artists who didn’t achieve as much fame as others but should be given their equal artistic due.” —New York Journal of Books 

“Revelations come thick and fast in this terrific page-turner.  Honest, self-effacing, and packed with good stories Possibilities presents an intimate self-portrait of one of popular music’s most influential and affable keyboardists.” —Mojo Magazine 

“Possibilities is a vividly written reflection on his own life—and a way of living.” —Milwaukee Shepherd Express 

“A mind blowing who’s who of jazz music . . . Amazing work here for musician and fan alike.” —Ebony.com  

“As the pianist relates his outré journey toward redemption, it becomes clear that spirituality and love have played overarching roles in his continued success and evolution.” —Alibi 

“Melodically weaving the notes of his personal life around his exploration of numerous music genres from classical and R&B to funk and hip-hop, renowned pianist Hancock elegantly composes a tuneful sound track of his life in music.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) 

“A warm, inspiring book by a man who seems to have little ego despite a career spent near the peak of his art. Recommended reading for jazz aficionados.” —Kirkus Reviews

“He has remained true to his art and his (Buddhist) poise during turbulent times, and his description of his upbringing and encounters with often turbulent individuals (not least of them Davis) provides a unique slant on America’s musical scene.” —Booklist 

“Brilliant . . . reveals the method behind this remarkable jazz performer . . . a testament to a man who faced in life what seemed impossible and made it possible.” —Library Journal 

“This book is many treasures. You have to read it to understand Herbie Hancock, to read and understand Mr. Hancock explaining how he achieved things. It is also a great treasure to make contact. The contact is you and Herbie telling you about himself. You are receiving the information and understandings of himself to you. He is very, very clear. Thank you, Herbie, because so many geniuses like yourself in the arts have trouble defining themselves and what they do.” —Bill Cosby 

“Herbie and I have been brothers since before electricity! One of my favorite things about Herbie is that both he and I aim to de-categorize music; we don’t think of music in terms of genres or rules, we both live outside the box and love good music, no matter the genre. If you like piano, or jazz, or music, or great stories, or life itself, you will love this book. Herbie Hancock has been electrifying audiences for decades, and now he’s about to do it to readers, too.” —Quincy Jones 

Herbie Hancock’s new book, Possibilities, elevates, transforms, and illumines consciousness. This wealth of insight opens winder the space of possibilities with raw honesty, courage, and curiosity. It takes us into a place of brilliant alchemy of God’s life, music, and humor. Genius IS as genius does.” —Carlos Santana 

“Herbie Hancock is one of the greats. His book is a fascinating account of his time in the music business. From Miles Davis to Paul Simon and beyond, Herbie’s stories are an insightful delight for all of us.” *—*Paul McCartney

Auteur
Herbie Hancock has won fourteen Grammy Awards, as well as an Academy Award for the score of Round Midnight. Hancock’s Head Hunters is the second-bestselling jazz album of all time. In 2011 he was named as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, in 2013 he was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, and in 2014 he was the first jazz musician to deliver the prestigious Norton Lectures at Harvard University.

Échantillon de lecture

CHAPTER ONE

I’m onstage at a concert hall in Stockholm, Sweden, in the mid-1960s playing piano with the Miles Davis Quintet. We’re on tour, and this show is really heating up. The band is tight—we’re all in sync, all on the same wavelength. The music is flowing, we’re connecting with the audience, and everything feels magical, like we’re weaving a spell.

Tony Williams, the drumming prodigy who joined Miles as a teenager, is on fire. Ron Carter’s fingers are flying up and down the neck of his bass, and Wayne Shorter’s saxophone is just screaming. The five of us have become one entity, shifting and flowing with the music. We’re playing one of Miles’s classics, “So What,” and as we hurtle toward Miles’s solo, it’s the peak of the evening; the whole audience is on the edge of their seats.

Miles starts playing, building up to his solo, and just as he’s about to really let loose, he takes a breath. And right then I play a chord that is just so wrong. I don’t even know where it came from—it’s the wrong chord, in the wrong place, and now it’s hanging out there like a piece of rotten fruit. I think, Oh, shit. It’s as if we’ve all been building this gorgeous house of sound, and I just accidentally put a match to it.

Miles pauses for a fraction of a second, and then he plays some notes that somehow, miraculously, make my chord sound right. In that moment I believe my mouth actually fell open. What kind of alchemy was this? And then Miles just took off from there, unleashing a solo that took the song in a new direction. The crowd went absolutely crazy.

I was in my early twenties and had already been with Miles for a couple of …