In the week spanning February 13 to 18, Delhi and Mumbai will be privy to the historic The Living Dream concerts, featuring the jazz authority Herbie Hancock, a visit we owe for the most to Mahatma Gandhi and his penchant for non-violence.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King’s 1959 India tour, the American Consulate and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations will host a delegation including Martin Luther King III, former US ambassador to the UN Andrew Young, jazz pianist Hancock, singer Chaka Khan and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain.
“This celebration grew from the desire of both Indians and Americans to honour and celebrate the legacy of two great leaders — Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,” said Elizabeth Kauffman, director of American Centre, Mumbai.
For jazz zealots, Hancock lives in their playlists. A piano prodigy, Hancock gave his first Mozart concerto at 11 and secured a coveted spot in the Miles Davis Quintet in his early 20s.
After five rollicking and historic years with Davis, the Chicago-born artist essayed a solo career punctuated with astonishing musical landmarks.
{{/usCountry}}After five rollicking and historic years with Davis, the Chicago-born artist essayed a solo career punctuated with astonishing musical landmarks.
{{/usCountry}}After 50 years of expanding the boundaries of jazz, Hancock chairs the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, an international organisation devoted to the development of jazz performance and education worldwide, and continues to make music on stage and in the studio.
(The Living Dream Concert will take place on February 18 at 7.30 pm at the NCPA)