Herbie Hancock ’s August 14 performance of “Head Hunters” at the Hollywood Bowl marks the first time in 50 years that the jazz keyboardist and composer reunited with the collaborators that became the album’s namesake. Given its success and legacy — the first ever jazz album to go platinum, and one of the all-time most famous in the genre — that claim seems improbable. (How could they not have played in some combination, at least a few times, in the intervening decades?) But if they’re just a bit slower-moving than they were in 1973, the group plays just as well half a century later, delivering an adventuresome two and a half hours of music (aided by Hancock’s current bandmates ) that reiterates the enduring power of the Headhunters’ compositions.
Judging by lines to the merchandise booth that snaked deep into the Hollywood Bowl a good hour before showtime, attendees recognized what a special and unique night the concert would be. No less than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar introduced the band, leading to some light comedy when Hancock had to stand on tiptoe to retrieve his microphone afterward. Tenor saxophonist Bennie Maupin, percussionist Bill Summers, drummer Harvey Mason and Marcus Miller — standing in for late bassist Paul Jackson — joined the bandleader, and after Summers offered a sort of spiritual blessing, they wasted no time jumping into the album.
Just as on the original recording, Summers used a beer bottle to imitate the sound of a Zairean hindewho flu.