The Headhunters
The Headhunters
“Remarkably masterful, fresh-sounding, and creatively restless…For over 50 years, The Headhunters have continually reinvented themselves.” - ALL MUSIC
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 classic recordings, Head Hunters, in 1973, Thrust in 1974 and Man-Child in 1975. The band continued without Mr. Hancock and has released 8 albums under the Headhunters name. Few bands can boast a history as fortuitous and storied as The Headhunters. What each member brings to the table forged a history that most bands can only dream of. Their blend of jazz with funk and rock would go on to sell over a million albums worldwide, while the band's legacy would inspire musicians of every genre for years to come, be sampled by hundreds of hip-hop artists throughout the '80s and '90s, and influence countless musicians' playing today. The Headhunters' impact remains a global phenomenon, and their time with Hancock proved to be a life changing experience.
“The fiery elements of Harrison and a charged rhythm section joyously churn out the funk. Lock yourself in and it’s really not much different than the band’s infectious sound from fifty years ago.” - Glide Magazine