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CNN Live Sunday
Profile of Herbie Hancock
Aired September 21, 2003 - 11:22 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: Now on to the other coast, where the sweet sounds of jazz reverberate across Monterey Bay in California. As part of our special coverage of the Monterey Festival, CNN's Maria Hinojosa spent time with a legendary jazz pianist.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: By the age of 7, Herbie Hancock was being hailed as a piano prodigy. From the beginning his approach to music was imaginative, always pushing the limits of creativity.
HERBIE HANCOCK, JAZZ PIANIST: It's that constant exploration, that's the nature of jazz. That's why I don't have a permanent band. And I never have had a permanent band.
HINOJOSA: Hancock's contribution to expanding the genre beyond its classic roots has made him one of the most revered and controversial figures in jazz.
HANCOCK: I've been through that now, so I mean it doesn't phase me. If they have a problem with it, it's not my problem, you know, unless there's something wrong with the music, but in most cases they don't even judge the music. They judge me.
HINOJOSA: A half century of composing has earned Hancock many awards, including nine Grammies. In 1987 he won an Oscar for his score of the film "Around Midnight." His music has been featured in nearly two dozen films.
On a personal level, Hancock's inspiration comes from a spiritual place.
HANCOCK: I'm able to focus. Much more clearly and with greater strength as a result of practicing Buddhism. When I chant, somehow it opens something up in my life so that I can perceive of more choices and some unique choices for playing.
HINOJOSA: At age 63 now, Hancock says there are advantages to being a music veteran.
HANCOCK: I have a lot less fear of taking chances. I have less fear of depending on intuition, and so I constantly, at this point, try to construct the music and construct the direction that allows me to use my intuition.
HINOJOSA: Maria Hinojosa, CNN, Monterey, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 21, 2003 - 11:22 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: Now on to the other coast, where the sweet sounds of jazz reverberate across Monterey Bay in California. As part of our special coverage of the Monterey Festival, CNN's Maria Hinojosa spent time with a legendary jazz pianist.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: By the age of 7, Herbie Hancock was being hailed as a piano prodigy. From the beginning his approach to music was imaginative, always pushing the limits of creativity.
HERBIE HANCOCK, JAZZ PIANIST: It's that constant exploration, that's the nature of jazz. That's why I don't have a permanent band. And I never have had a permanent band.
HINOJOSA: Hancock's contribution to expanding the genre beyond its classic roots has made him one of the most revered and controversial figures in jazz.
HANCOCK: I've been through that now, so I mean it doesn't phase me. If they have a problem with it, it's not my problem, you know, unless there's something wrong with the music, but in most cases they don't even judge the music. They judge me.
HINOJOSA: A half century of composing has earned Hancock many awards, including nine Grammies. In 1987 he won an Oscar for his score of the film "Around Midnight." His music has been featured in nearly two dozen films.
On a personal level, Hancock's inspiration comes from a spiritual place.
HANCOCK: I'm able to focus. Much more clearly and with greater strength as a result of practicing Buddhism. When I chant, somehow it opens something up in my life so that I can perceive of more choices and some unique choices for playing.
HINOJOSA: At age 63 now, Hancock says there are advantages to being a music veteran.
HANCOCK: I have a lot less fear of taking chances. I have less fear of depending on intuition, and so I constantly, at this point, try to construct the music and construct the direction that allows me to use my intuition.
HINOJOSA: Maria Hinojosa, CNN, Monterey, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
