Herbie Hancock: Possibilities (2006)

A film about jazz pianist Herbie Hancock.

Directors:

Doug Biro, Jon Fine

Stars:

Christina Aguilera, Trey Anastasio, Brian Eno

Cast

Credited cast:
Christina Aguilera	...	Herself
Trey Anastasio	...	Himself
Brian Eno	...	Himself
Herbie Hancock	...	Himself
Lisa Hannigan	...	Herself
Angélique Kidjo	...	Herself
Jonny Lang	...	Himself
Annie Lennox	...	Herself
Lionel Louke	...	Himself
John Mayer	...	Himself
Raul Midon	...	Himself
Greg Phillinganes	...	Himself
Damien Rice	...	Himself
Carlos Santana	...	Himself
Wayne Shorter	...	Himself

Storyline

"Possibilities" is an intimate documentary about Herbie Hancock and his in-studio collaborations with a dozen formidable pop recording artists, collaborations that explore the unexpected, like jazz improvisations. The film is also about how Herbie's unique world view shapes a creative environment that encourages artists to step outside the velvet prison of easy expectations. "The hip stuff," Herbie tells Trey Anastasio, in a scene from the film, "is outside the comfort zone." "Possibilities" follows Herbie over a year and a half collaborating with musical icons Carlos Santana, Sting, Angelique Kidjo, Annie Lennox and Paul Simon, young superstars Christina Aguilera, John Mayer, Trey Anastasio and Jonny Lang and newcomers Joss Stone, Raul Midon, Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan. The film also puts Herbie's latest work in the context of his extraordinary musical career, and includes rarely seen archival footage of Herbie with the Miles Davis Quintet in 1962; Herbie leading his Headhunters ...

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Plot Keywords:

musician | character name in title

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Herbi Henkok

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HDNet Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Watching them cook up a delicious meal.

Fascinating! I was a fan of a certain type of jazz back in the early seventies - Herbie Hancock, Stanley Turrentine, Grover Washington, Jr. They were all favorites. So this was a chance to see one of my favorites and learn something about how music is made.

One of the interesting things that struck me was the very definition of jazz by Miles Davis. Jazz is not practiced, but it is created on stage in front of an audience. You really see that creative process at work here, as they would start with an idea and kick around until something was cooked up by everyone.

There was also a great mixture of flavors in this album they were working on. You would see Carlos Santana mixed with Hancock, and the vocals would be African lyrics supplied by Angélique Kidjo. Or, you would see two young Irish singers interpret a Billy Holiday tune. Or, you would see Sting supply the vocals to a blues standard where the music had been given a different flavor due to the arrangement by Lionel Louke.

It was an enjoyable experience that allowed me not only to appreciate Hancock more, but to appreciate music more.