Jazz pianist, composer and all around innovator, Herbie Hancock has led a highly prolific and influential life. First receiving aclaim as a pianist for Miles Davis' quintet, Hancock was known for the dramatic and lasting impression he made on the jazz scene for his interpretation of the traditional rhythm section. Hancock then broke off on his own and began experimenting with the synthesizer, becoming the first musician to incorporate this instrument into jazz, which lended many of his recordings a proto-electronica aspect. While jazz is generally considered Hancock's niche, he also successfully crossed over to the mainstream pop market, releasing multiple Top 40 hits, and scored several film soundtracks, his score for Round Midnight garnering him an Academy Award. A multi-talented virtuoso, Hancock has won multiple Grammys, world jazz festival awards and general fame across the globe.
