Considered to be a child prodigy, Herbie won a competition performing the music of Mozart at a concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 11.

Herbie lucked into an opportunity of a lifetime thanks to a blizzard. When a fateful Chicago snowstorm delayed the pianist for Donald Byrd, the local club owner suggested Herbie, whose performance impressed enough to lead to his first professional mentor, move to NYC and the path to his debut album with Blue Note.

Herbie also credits a tip from trumpeter Donald Byrd as one of the most important decisions in his career – to retain publishing rights to his music.

Justin Varnes shares these and many other stories of industry-redefining musicians like Herbie Hancock in his Jazz Legacy Project Series. He also offers insight into what to listen for when listening to jazz, and shares how the music is woven into American history, connecting an artist’s music to a time or an event in history that can open up a new world when listening to it.

the second in this series at Middle C Jazz, Justin Varnes presents music and stories of Herbie Hancock at Middle C Jazz Sunday June 1st.

Boplicity, performed by JUSTIN VARNES Jazz Legacy Project at Middle C Jazz.