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The Headhunters
Few bands can claim a history as remarkable and illustrious as The Headhunters. Originating in 1973 under the visionary leadership of renowned musician Herbie Hancock, the band quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. Comprising percussionist Bill Summers, bassist Paul Jackson, saxophonist Bennie Maupin and Harvey Mason, who was soon replaced by legendary drummer Mike Clark, each member brought their unique talents to the table, forging a timeless legacy that surpasses the dreams of most musical ensembles. By blending jazz, funk, and rock, The Headhunters created a sound that resonated with audiences worldwide, selling over a million albums and inspiring musicians across genres for generations. Their music was even sampled by hundreds of hip-hop artists throughout the '80s and '90s, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary music.
Today, The Headhunters' impact remains a global phenomenon, with their time alongside Hancock serving as a transformative experience. The band went on to release six more full-length albums. They ventured out on their own, free from Hancock's involvement, producing standout albums such as "Survival of the Fittest" in 1975 and "Straight from the Gate" in 1977. The band reunited with Herbie in 1998 for “Return of The Headhunters” and subsequent released albums “Evolution Revolution” in 2003 and “Platinum” in 2011. The Headhunters’ latest studio release “Speakers In The House” came out November 4th, 2022 to international acclaim through Ropeadope Records in association with Devil Hills Entertainment.
Now co-led by original members Bill Summers on percussion Mike Clark on drums complemented by the talents of some of New Orleans' finest musicians: Kyle Roussel on keys, Donald Harrison on alto saxophone, and Chris Severin on seven-string bass. These lifelong friends have shaped the band into a musical powerhouse. In celebration of their eponymous album's 50th anniversary, the band embarked on a world tour in early 2023.
The journey began with a monumental performance meticulously recorded at the iconic Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, New York, on February 9th, 2023. Showcasing the band's incredible live energy, this momentous occasion was masterfully captured and subsequently mixed and mastered in New Orleans by the talented Keenan McRae. The result is an extraordinary live album that encapsulates the essence of The Headhunters' artistry.
The album features an array of their greatest hits, including the iconic tracks "Watermelon Man," "Chameleon," "Butterfly," and the latest original "Rocking At The Mole House" from studio album "Speakers In The House.”
“We live this every day. We have some secrets to give to the youth of the world. We’re not musicians, we are physicians - we heal people.”(Bill Summers)
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San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2025
by Walter Atkins
A collection of photos from the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, in San Jose CA August 8 to10 2025, featuring The Headhunters, Mavis Staples Lalah Hathaway, and Common. ...
Continue ReadingThe Headhunters: The Stunt Man
by Doug Collette
With the half-century anniversaries of Herbie Hancock's work with the Headhunters having passed in roughly the last year--Head Hunters (Columbia, 1973) and Thrust (Columbia, 1974)--it is appropriate the current configuration of the group has continued regular activity. In fact, under the fitting tutelage of drummer Mike Clark and percussionist Bill Summers, the band has issued two albums of new material in this span of time. Speakers in the House (Ropeadope, 2022) is an album of dashing panache and ...
Continue ReadingThe Headhunters
by Lawrence Peryer
Back in the early '70s, drummer Mike Clark and bassist Paul Jackson were best friends living in East Oakland, playing flatbed gigs at Black Panther rallies, and generally raising hell. Cooking was not their forte, so the barbecue joint next door became a hangout. Mrs. Jones (of Everett and Jones) asked them to write a song to promote the spot, and they came up with the first version of “God Made Me Funky." Bill Summers worked with Jackson at the ...
Continue ReadingHeadhunters: On Top: Live in Europe
by Mark F. Turner
It's been said that true funk can be imitated but never duplicated. But in the case of the Headhunters's 2 CD live recording On Top, the band--named after Herbie Hancock's 1973 groundbreaking release, Head Hunters (Columbia)--continues to uphold the groove. Master percussionist Bill Summers, one of the original members since the 1970s, has kept the essence of Hancock's music alive through various releases including 2003's Evolution Revolution (Basin Street Records). Recorded in Paris, France, this live document ...
Continue ReadingHeadhunters: Evolution Revolution
by C. Michael Bailey
The Headhunters have the previous distinction of being the strongest early component of Herbie Hancock's slick vision of jazz-fusion coupled with popular sensibilities. The band's association with Hancock resulted in 1973's Head Hunters, a disc that outsold the previously invincible Bitches Brew by Miles Davis. HeadHunters represented the apex of Hancock's fusion vision and the band, subsequently known as the Headhunters, was to return for four additional recordings by the pianist.
As a “solo" act, the Headhunters have also met ...
Continue ReadingLegendary Jazz/Funk Group The Headhunters Perform At The Hamilton Live With Fiery Funk/Blues Act Sol Roots Opening
Source:
9th Floor Music
On September 11th, the legendary jazz/funk group The Headhunters will perform at The Hamilton in Washington, D.C., with the brilliant funk/blues guitarist Sol Roots as the opening act.
The Headhunters The Headhunters, the legendary jazz-funk ensemble co-led by percussionist Bill Summers and drummer Mike Clark with NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison on alto saxophone, celebrated the band’s 50th anniversary in 2023, having formed around Herbie Hancock's seminal 1970s albums: Head Hunters, Thrust, and Man-Child. The band continued without Mr. Hancock ...
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Jazz Legends The Headhunters Featuring Founding Members Mike Clark And Bill Summers To Play West Coast Dates
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Glass Onyon PR - Keith James
New York, NY: The Headhunters have redefined modern funk, world music, and jazz as one of the most innovative groups in history. They recorded for several years with legendary pianist Herbie Hancock, representing a major turning point for Hancock with the formation of this popular band in 1973. The Columbia album Head Hunters became extremely popular, fusing jazz with funk and rock, the album sold over a million copies and attracted many R&B and rock fans, even out— selling Miles ...
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Something Else! Interview: Percussionist Bill Summers, of the Headhunters
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Something Else!
The Headhunters, who with Herbie Hancock crafted jazz music's first platinum release, return this month with an aptly titled new project—Platinum. In 2003, their million-selling 1973 debut Head Hunters was ranked No. 498 in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Led by longtime drummer Mike Clark and percussionist Bill Summers, the Headhunters had later stand-alone success after Hancock's departure—producing the dance anthem “God Make Me Funky," one of the most sampled fusion songs in history. ...
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Something Else! Sneak Peek: The Headhunters, "Tracie" (2011)
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Something Else!
The Headhunters have completed an ambitious new jazz release—one that continues to push the edges of fusion, incorporating hip hop and funk with the presence of Snoop Dogg and George Clinton, yet still retains the band's fonky core sound. That's perhaps nowhere better heard than on this standout track from Platinum, to be issued by the Owl Studios label on June 14. The Latin-tinged “Tracie" begins with a bass line from Richie Goods that sounds like a question mark, surrounded ...
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The Headhunters' "Platinum" Set for 6/14 on Owl, Bravura CD Features Snoop Dogg, George Clinton
Source:
Seth Cohen PR
Bridging Genres and Generations: A Hip-Hop Album for Jazz Fans, A Jazz Album for Hip- Hop Fans—The Legendary Headhunters Deliver a Bravura Collection Platinum is Set for June 14th Release by Owl Studios Guest Artists Include Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, Killah Priest, Jaecyn Bayne, Private Pile and More The Legendary Headhunters have delivered a dramatic, sweeping new CD that bridges genres and generations, as it deftly moves from Hip-Hop to Jazz to Funk to Rap to R & B. Under ...
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The Headhunters, 'Platinum' (Feb 2011) features Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, Patrice Rushen, and many more...
Source:
Ethan Shorter
Herbie Hancock's 'Headhunters' (1973) was the first Jazz record ever to go Platinum. Well The Headhunters (Mike Clark, Bill Summers, Donald Harrison, Richie Goods, Kyle Rousell) have teamed up with New Orleans based Avant Soul Duo, The Mumbles to do a 10-date East Coast tour in support of both bands' forthcoming releases.
Nov 3rd :: Brooklyn Bowl—Brooklyn NY Nov 4th :: Club Metronome—Burlington, VT Nov 5th :: Iron Horse Music Hall—Northampton, MA Nov 6th :: Northstar Bar—Philadelphia, PA Nov 7th ...
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Owl Studios Readies Headhunters CD Featuring Snoop Dogg, George Clinton
Source:
Seth Cohen PR
As New Owl Studios CD Featuring Snoop Dogg, George Clinton & Others is Readied, The Legendary Headhunters Announce U.S. Tour “A true fusion of Hip Hop, Jazz, Rap, Salsa, Rock, New Orleans, African rhythm and its classical forms" Jazz/funk/fusion legends THE HEADHUNTERS have announced a U.S. tour for November, with stops in NY, VT, MA, PA, ME, VA and NC. The seminal band is currently finalizing tracks for a compelling new CD, 'Platinum,' which will be released early next year ...
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Herbie Hancock's "Headhunters" Among Cultural Treasures
Source:
All About Jazz
Library of Congress Cultural Treasures
The best-selling pop album on planet Earth and a disc sent hurtling into deep space are among recordings the Library of Congress will preserve for their cultural significance. Twenty-five selections were added to the National Recording Registry on Wednesday, part of the library's attempt to save America's aural history by archiving recordings deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant." The inductees range from Michael Jackson's 1982 all-time-bestseller “Thriller" and jazz artist Herbie Hancock's 1973 fusion smash ...
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Les Paul Tonight-Mingus Big Band Tue.-Ed Palermo Plays Zappa Wed.-Headhunters June 9-12 at The Iridium
Source:
All About Jazz
June 6, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com Sets at 8 & 10PM EVERY MONDAY LES PAUL AND HIS QUARTET EVERY TUESDAY THE MINGUS BIG BAND EVERY WEDNESDAY ED PALERMO BIG BAND PLAYS THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA Every Sunday Starting at 11:00AM Gospel Jazz Brunch in NYC featuring BISHOP NATHANIEL TOWNSLEY, JR. AND THE GOSPEL JUBILEE This Week ...
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The Headhunters
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
Formed: 1973
