Jazz great Hancock wows Irvine audience

It was perhaps unfortunate scheduling that two of the greatest jazz musicians of all time came to Penn on a weekend when many students were away on their fall breaks. Nonetheless, legends Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter packed a full house into Irvine Auditorium on Saturday night for a blistering 90-minute performance. The concert was sponsored by Penn Presents. Hancock, a five-time Grammy-Award winning musician best known for his 1973 groundbreaking album Head Hunters, performed on acoustic piano, while Shorter starred on his soprano saxophone. His music -- and this album in particular -- helped revolutionize hip-hop and funk. The show saw the two musicians running through about seven numbers -- most of which lasted for 10 minutes or so -- including an encore, with no hesitation and much emotion. The musicians' relationship dates back several decades, as they are both veterans of Miles Davis' 1960s-era quintet. They have both acknowledged their tribute to jazz master Davis in both words and recordings. Hancock, who combined with Shorter on the 1994 Grammy-winning album A Tribute to Miles, is quoted in the show's program: "Our approach to these pieces comes from training that I certainly got from having played with Miles Davis, and I know that Wayne identifies with this, too." But it is the release of Shorter and Hancock's new album 1+1, which has brought them on this latest tour and to Penn. Throughout the performance, both musicians took several solos, many of which brought the crowd to a rousing ovation. While Hancock is easily the more recognizable name, it was the alternately frenetic and quietly seductive sax playing of the more low-key Shorter that seemed to garner the most excitement from the audience. Hancock was animated for much of the show, joking that he had forgotten his cuff links in his Four Seasons hotel room. After playing for more than an hour, when it was clear that the duo were leaving the stage, the crowd offered a standing ovation until Hancock and Shorter returned for a 10-minute encore in which the pianist displayed his virtuosity by playing the first few bars on the inside of his Steinway piano. And then adding to the improvisational talent of the pair, Shorter began incorporating Wizard of Oz tunes, "If I Only Had a Brain" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," to which Hancock aptly caught on with his piano. It was clear that the performers enjoyed themselves when they spent a few moments after the encore shaking the hands of audience members. This is not the first time that Hancock has been to Penn. The musician played at Zellerbach Theatre two years ago as part of a small tour with his trio. Audience member Mathias Kirchmer, who is unaffiliated with Penn, said he thought the show was "really outstanding" with "great harmonies and great rhythms." Hancock received an Oscar at the 1987 Academy Awards for his soundtrack to the film Round Midnight. The crowd seemed wholly united in its praise of the two jazzmen who brought an air of musical sophistication to campus Saturday night. "Herbie has a really delicate touch on the piano," College sophomore Jonah Lowenfeld said. "And it was great watching it."

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