Renowned jazz musician Herbie Hancock to assume the title-bearing role for Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA
UCLA's Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Renamed After Herbie Hancock
In a significant move, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA has been renamed the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA, effective January 1, 2019. The name change is a tribute to Herbie Hancock, a UCLA professor since 2013 and a renowned figure in the jazz world.
The decision to rename the institute was initiated by the Washington, D.C.-based Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz itself, in recognition of Hancock's significant role as a long-time supporter, leader, and influential figure in jazz education. Hancock's legacy and contributions to jazz justified the renaming, reflecting his stature within the jazz community and his commitment to nurturing young jazz musicians.
Located at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the institute provides full two-year scholarships for six to eight international musicians to participate in a master's degree program. The program allows graduate students to develop their own artistic voices under renowned jazz musicians, composers, and educators. Hancock's influence is evident in the students' work, as they collaborate across genres with fellow musicians throughout the school.
Hancock's career spans decades and genres, from his work as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, where he became one of the pioneers of modern jazz improvisation, to his groundbreaking recordings in the '70s that combined electric jazz with funk and rock. His 1983 hit song "Rockit" established him as an innovator in electronic music.
Throughout his career, Hancock has been known for nurturing and launching the careers of emerging jazz artists. The students at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance continue this tradition, performing together around the world and sharing what they learn, including through private music lessons for Los Angeles schoolchildren, as part of a formal outreach initiative.
Herbie Hancock, a 14-time Grammy Award winner, is an internationally renowned pianist and composer. His work has influenced generations of musicians, and his legacy continues to shape the future of jazz at UCLA. Judith Smith, dean of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, looks forward to working with Hancock to expand opportunities for students at the institute.
With the renaming of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance to the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance, the institute honours a true jazz legend and continues its commitment to fostering the next generation of jazz musicians.
- Herbie Hancock's influence extends beyond just jazz performance at UCLA, as he also encourages learning and self-development among young musicians, often providing private music lessons for Los Angeles schoolchildren.
- While entertainment may not be the primary focus of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance, the institute's students collaborate across genres and perform around the world, showcasing their unique blends of music inspired by Hancock's innovations in jazz, funk, and rock.
