(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announces the return of the legendary Herbie Hancock for a one-night-only performance on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:00pm. This concert promises to be an unforgettable evening, showcasing the incomparable artistry of one of the most influential musicians of our time.
Herbie Hancock has transcended limitations and genres throughout his illustrious career, all while maintaining his unmistakable voice and vision. With a remarkable five-decade legacy, Hancock has garnered 14 GRAMMY Awards—including Album of the Year for the groundbreaking "River: The Joni Letters"—and continues to amaze audiences worldwide with his innovative spirit and creative mastery.
A true innovator, Hancock has pioneered new directions in jazz, composing enduring standards like "Watermelon Man" and "Cantaloupe Island." His influence stretches across jazz, R&B, funk, and hip hop, inspiring generations of artists. Among his many accolades are a GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award, the NEA Jazz Master honor, an Academy Award, Kennedy Center Honors, and in 2025, the prestigious Polar Music Prize—often called the “Nobel Prize of Music.”
“Herbie Hancock is a jazz scientist … always focused on musical development and finding new ways of moving forward,” said the 2025 Polar Music Prize Committee.
Tickets are available for purchase online, by calling 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722), or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office as of Friday, March 13 at 10:00am.
Herbie Hancock’s journey began as a child prodigy, performing a Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 11. Drawn to jazz in high school, he was influenced by Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans before being discovered by trumpeter Donald Byrd. After session work with Byrd, Phil Woods, and Oliver Nelson, Hancock signed with Blue Note Records and released his debut album "Takin’ Off" in 1963, featuring the hit "Watermelon Man."
That same year, Hancock joined the Miles Davis Quintet, collaborating on iconic albums such as "ESP," "Nefertiti," and "Sorcerer." He later contributed to Davis’ revolutionary "In a Silent Way." Hancock’s own band, The Headhunters, released the chart-topping album "Head Hunters" in 1973, featuring the crossover hit "Chameleon," making it the first jazz album to go platinum. By the mid-1970s, Hancock was filling stadiums worldwide and had multiple albums on the pop charts simultaneously.
Herbie Hancock’s creativity remains undiminished. His critically acclaimed album "The Imagine Project" won two 2011 GRAMMY® Awards, further cementing his status as a musical visionary. Off stage, Hancock continues to shape the future of jazz as Creative Chair for Jazz at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, the premier organization for jazz performance and education. He is also a founder of the International Committee of Artists for Peace and was honored as “Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres” by France.
A Nobel Professor of Poetry at Harvard University, Hancock’s extraordinary achievements have been recognized with a Kennedy Center Honor and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States. It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey’s anchor cultural institution, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted more than 12 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997 and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.
