The Headhunters

The Headhunters

    Official Biography (courtesy of the Headhunters)

    The Headhunters:

    Founded in 1973, they recorded their eponymous debut Head Hunters with Herbie Hancock. The Headhunters, legendary jazz-funk fusion band, immortalized as a result of their long recording and touring stint with jazz giant Herbie Hancock. Hancock's “Headhunters” album was the first to be recorded with the group and has been heralded as the first platinum Jazz/Fusion project in history. Thrust, Flood, Manchild and other historic recordings followed. The band went on to produce more seminal records on their own, including Survival of the Fittest ,which featured the funk anthem "God Make Me Funky," one of the most sampled jazz/fusion songs in modern music history. The Headhunters' music is a complex but harmonious blend of many styles and genres, spanning the globe, from Africa to Broadway. The group is acclaimed for its musical pioneering and innovative concepts.

    More about BILL SUMMERS:

    Bill Summers is one of the world’s most accomplished percussionists; a true ethnomusicologist highly educated in principle and practice of literally hundreds of African, Cuban and Latin percussion rhythms after decades of global study. He has performed with a litany of the industry’s top artists among which are Herbie Hancock, Diana Reeves, Madonna, Wayne Shorter, George Benson, Janet & Michael Jackson, Sonny Rollins, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Tupac, Wynton Marsalis and others too numerous to mention. Additionally, Mr Summers has participated, written and performed on a wide variety of film projects notably The Color Purple, ABC Series Roots and The Wiz. Beyond his impressive musical career, Bill founded the Summers Multi-Ethnic Institute of Arts. A highly respected school that offers classes to the community in areas such as music instruction, performance, publishing, sound engineering and more. As a performer, writer, producer, educator and man, Bill Summers is truly a positive participant in music communities that span the globe.

    More about MIKE CLARK:

    MIKE CLARK gained worldwide recognition as one of America’s foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock’s group in the early 1970’s. Mike became known as a major innovator through his incisive playing on Hancock’s Thrust album, which garnered him an international cult following. Among the top sampled drummers of all time, Mr. Clark is featured regularly in leading industry publications, authored a bestselling book Funk Drumming: Innovative Grooves & Advanced Concepts, and is a former faculty member of Drummers Collective. At the core of his playing, Mike, a mainstream jazz drummer has become one of the most vital to sit behind a set. He's performed with jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Chet Baker, Bobby Hutcherson, Woody Shaw,Vince Guaraldi, Tony Bennett, Wayne Shorter, Mike Wolff, Christian McBride, Mose Allison and many illuminating etceteras too numerous to list. Mike has an extensive discography and touring schedule both as a sideman and leader. Notably his release Give The Drummer Some earning a rare four and a half stars in Downbeat, as was The Funk Stops Here, a joint effort with Hancock alumni Paul Jackson. His 2009 release Blueprints of Jazz, Vol. I was named one of the best recordings of the decade by Downbeat; followed by Carnival of Soul in 2010 which was nominated by the Independent Music Awards for the Best Jazz Album of the Year. A true original, Mike’s work continues to delight and astound his fans around the world.