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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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