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Life

Philanthropy

  • Thelonious Monk Institute Of Jazz

    Herbie serves as Institute Chairman for this prestigious, non-profit organization that offers the world’s most promising young musicians college level training.

    Since 1986, Herbie has been involved in all facets of the institute including serving as artistic director of the West Coast programs, teaching classes for the institute’s Jazz in the Classroom series, serving as …

    Herbie serves as Institute Chairman for this prestigious, non-profit organization that offers the world’s most promising young musicians college level training.

    Since 1986, Herbie has been involved in all facets of the institute including serving as artistic director of the West Coast programs, teaching classes for the institute’s Jazz in the Classroom series, serving as a judge for the piano competitive and composers’ competition, hosting the international jazz composition finals and as a featured performer on the institute’s network television specials.

    According to Herbie, one of the programs that is especially “near and dear” to his heart is the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz Performance where he has had the pleasure of teaching classes. This full scholarship program, located at the University of Southern California, accepts a select group of the world’s most talented young jazz artists and provides them with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from jazz legends such as Herbie himself, Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean, Wynton Marsalis, Barry Harris and many other renowned jazz musicians. The students immerse themselves in the art form and receive unique educational opportunities not found any where else in the world.

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  • CIAMO

    CIAMO’s mission is to promote arts education as a tool for dynamic growth in the developing world.

    CIAMO’s mission is to promote arts education as a tool for dynamic growth in the developing world.

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  • International Committee Of Artists For Peace (ICAP)

    The International Committee of Artists for Peace (ICAP) is an organization of passionately committed individuals using the creative power of the arts.

    Collaborating with individuals and organizations that share its mission for peace, ICAP employs dialogue and the full creative power of the arts to instill the ideals of humanism and nonviolence. ICAP has presented …

    The International Committee of Artists for Peace (ICAP) is an organization of passionately committed individuals using the creative power of the arts.

    Collaborating with individuals and organizations that share its mission for peace, ICAP employs dialogue and the full creative power of the arts to instill the ideals of humanism and nonviolence. ICAP has presented peace concerts, conducted peace-building workshops, created and sponsored exhibitions and honored extraordinary individuals on three continents.

    Founded by philosopher and peacebuilder Daisaku Ikeda, ICAP’s cherished goal is to continue expanding circles of peace and friendship through culture and the arts around the globe.

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  • Daniel Pearl World Music Days Foundation

    Herbie Hancock, Honorary Committee Member. An international network of concerts using the power of music to reaffirm our commitment to tolerance and love of all humanity.

    World Music Days brings together people of different cultures, faiths and talents through the universal language of music. The inauguration of Daniel Pearl Music Days on October 10, 2002 …

    Herbie Hancock, Honorary Committee Member.
    An international network of concerts using the power of music to reaffirm our commitment to tolerance and love of all humanity.

    World Music Days brings together people of different cultures, faiths and talents through the universal language of music. The inauguration of Daniel Pearl Music Days on October 10, 2002 was launched with a huge impact as it involved over 100 concerts in 18 countries.

    Musicians ranging from small amateur bands to the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Boston and Chicago dedicated performances to the ideals for which Danny stood: friendship, tolerance and a love of all humanity.

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  • Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation

    The Hancocks have been long-time supporters of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and its mission to assist the many children living with HIV/AIDS throughout the world.

    The Foundation’s mission is to create a future of hope for children and families worldwide by eradicating pediatric AIDS, providing care and treatment to people with HIV/AIDS, and …

    The Hancocks have been long-time supporters of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and its mission to assist the many children living with HIV/AIDS throughout the world.

    The Foundation’s mission is to create a future of hope for children and families worldwide by eradicating pediatric AIDS, providing care and treatment to people with HIV/AIDS, and accelerating the discovery of new treatments for other serious and life-threatening pediatric illnesses.

    The Hancock family participates in the Foundation’s annual AIDS Walk Africa, honoring and benefiting the millions of children living with HIV/AIDS.

    AIDS Walk Africa allows participants to witness first hand the devastating effects of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic on families, communities, and the economy in Africa. The participants’ involvement plays a key role in helping the Foundation reach more children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

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  • BAYCAT

    Baycat was co-founded by Herbie Hancock. Its mission is to empower under-served youth and young adults through education, employment, and entertainment in digital media; helping them find their place in the world.

    The organization fuses Herbie’s commitment to helping disadvantaged people and his enthusiasm for exploring new technologies. Herbie helped found Bayview Hunters Point Center …

    Baycat was co-founded by Herbie Hancock. Its mission is to empower under-served youth and young adults through education, employment, and entertainment in digital media; helping them find their place in the world.

    The organization fuses Herbie’s commitment to helping disadvantaged people and his enthusiasm for exploring new technologies. Herbie helped found Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts & Technology (BAYCAT) where he currently serves on the Board of Directors. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, BAYCAT’s mission is to inspire and educate underserved youth and adults to become more productive citizens and to improve the quality of life for themselves and their communities by providing education in arts, culture and enterprise in an inspirational learning environment.

    BAYCAT envisions an accessible educational and training system that instills every individual with the self-confidence and self-respect needed to define and achieve his or her own life’s dream.

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  • Alzheimer’s Foundation Of America

    The foundation’s mission is to “provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families through member organizations.

    The foundation’s mission is to “provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families through member organizations.

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Spirituality

It seems all of his life, Herbie has been on a journey of expansion. In spring of 1972, having already achieved many accolades, Herbie an accomplished musician with a beautiful wife, child and home, set out on another path of spiritual awakening from which he has never retreated.

Hearing something new and profound in a solo by a fellow band mate, Herbie probed him as to the source. He was told that this new inspiration was derived from something beyond the realm of music. It was then that Herbie first heard of Nichiren’s Buddhism and Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.

“Practicing Buddhism has brought several revelations to me. One that has been extremely important to my own personal development and consequently my musical development – is the realization that I am not a musician. That’s not what I am. It’s what I do. What I am is a human being. Being a human being includes me being a musician. It includes my being a father, a husband, a neighbor, a citizen and an African-American. All of these relationships have to do with my existence on the planet.”

Herbie wields his Buddhist practice in order that his voice, when expressed through the breadth of his music, can connect hearts throughout the universe in the service of lasting peace. When he is not recording, touring or spending time with his family, Herbie also very actively promotes Buddhism together with his friends of the SGI, by teaching and helping others to see their own potential to expand their lives and achieve an absolute happiness.

Family

In addition to being one of music’s favorite icons, Herbie is also a loving and devoted husband and father, married to his wife Gigi since 1968. They met in 1964 in a smoke-filled New York City jazz club, and now live happily together in Beverly Hills. They have one child, Jessica, who does international publicity for the Hancock organization.

Both Gigi and Jessica are philanthropists who care about the planet, human rights and actively advocate issues that promote common good.

To Support Visit

International Jazz Day

www.jazzday.com


Other Foundations:

Thelonious Monk Institute

www.monkinstitute.org

Amazon Conservation Association

www.AmazonConservation.org


Amazon Aid Foundation

www.AmazonAid.org
www.twitter.com/AmazonAid

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation

www.pedaids.org

Herbie Recommends

  • Fazioli Pianoforte

    The Fazioli Company has produced grand and concert-grand pianos since 1981, when the company was founded by pianist and engineer Paolo Fazioli.

    Each instrument is individually handcrafted, combining high quality materials with the finest workmanship and technology.

    The Fazioli Company has produced grand and concert-grand pianos since 1981, when the company was founded by pianist and engineer Paolo Fazioli.

    Each instrument is individually handcrafted, combining high quality materials with the finest workmanship and technology.

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  • KORG

    Keyboards and modules, digital recording, concert pianos, tuners, and effect processors.

    Keyboards and modules, digital recording, concert pianos, tuners, and effect processors.

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  • Shure Professional Audio Products

    Legendary microphones, cutting-edge wireless systems, premium earphones, and headphones.

    Legendary microphones, cutting-edge wireless systems, premium earphones, and headphones.

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  • TETRA Speakers, Inc.

    Tetra Speakers has been providing one-of-a-kind speakers to music lovers for over a decade. With their unique design and musical accuracy, they are speakers I know I can trust for both my home theater as well as my mixing studio.

    Tetra Speakers has been providing one-of-a-kind speakers to music lovers for over a decade. With their unique design and musical accuracy, they are speakers I know I can trust for both my home theater as well as my mixing studio.

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  • Audio High: Music & Home Theater Systems

    Audio High is America’s premier store for audio systems, home theater, home automation, and much more. Audio High have done home and pro systems for the most demanding clients across the country and abroad. See their web site for more information about their company and their unique products and services.

    Audio High is America’s premier store for audio systems, home theater, home automation, and much more. Audio High have done home and pro systems for the most demanding clients across the country and abroad. See their web site for more information about their company and their unique products and services.

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