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Artist profile · 04/07/2026

Herbie Hancock

ChicagoBorn in 1940Bebop20 vinyl albums
Born April 12, 1940 in Chicago, Herbie Hancock is a pioneering US jazz pianist and composer. His work spans bebop, jazz fusion, funk, and modal jazz, marking major advances in the genre through the 1960s and beyond.
Explore the discographyThe 3 must-haves
20
Albums on Vinyles.com
1.6M
Last.fm listeners
24M
Last.fm plays

About

Over 40 LPs blending jazz, funk, fusion; original pressings tracked live in Europe and the US.

Herbie Hancock is a distinguished American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer active since the 1960s. Known for his versatility, Hancock blends elements from jazz, funk, soul, and rock, pioneering jazz fusion and jazz-funk styles. His catalog features over 40 vinyl records across multiple genres like bebop, free jazz, and jazz rock.

Vinycles.com tracks notable vinyl editions like 1972's 'Crossings' and 1971's 'Mwandishi', showcasing his evolution within the jazz fusion movement. Collectors seek original Blue Note label pressings such as the 1965 'Maiden Voyage' and the 1964 'Empyrean Isles'. His catalog's diversity includes audiophile reissues pressed in 180g black or colored vinyl, highlighting historical sessions with ensembles that often include Miles Davis and others.

Discography

Herbie Hancock discography

Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.

Blow-Up

Blow-Up

Herbie Hancock

1966Soundtrack
  • Vinyl 4
  • CD 2
  • Cassette 2
The Prisoner

The Prisoner

Herbie Hancock

1969Studio
  • Vinyl 4
  • CD 4
  • Cassette 1
Jammin’ With Herbie

Jammin’ With Herbie

Herbie Hancock

1970Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 2
  • Cassette 1
Dedication

Dedication

Herbie Hancock

1974Studio
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 4
  • Cassette
Flood

Flood

Herbie Hancock

1975Live
  • Vinyl 4
  • CD 4
  • Cassette 1
V.S.O.P.

V.S.O.P.

Herbie Hancock

1977Live
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Directstep

Directstep

Herbie Hancock

1979Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette
Feets Don’t Fail Me Now

Feets Don’t Fail Me Now

Herbie Hancock

1979Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 4
  • Cassette 1
The Piano

The Piano

Herbie Hancock

1979Studio
  • Vinyl 3
  • CD 4
  • Cassette 1
A Night With Herbie Hancock

A Night With Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock

1980Compilation
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 1
  • Cassette 1
Monster

Monster

Herbie Hancock

1980Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Magic Windows

Magic Windows

Herbie Hancock

1981Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Lite Me Up

Lite Me Up

Herbie Hancock

1982Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Quartet

Quartet

Herbie Hancock

1982Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Sound-System

Sound-System

Herbie Hancock

1984Studio
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 4
  • Cassette 1
Round Midnight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Round Midnight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Herbie Hancock

1986Soundtrack
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Perfect Machine

Perfect Machine

Herbie Hancock

1988Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Dis Is da Drum

Dis Is da Drum

Herbie Hancock

1994Studio
  • Vinyl
  • CD 1
  • Cassette 1
Gershwin’s World

Gershwin’s World

Herbie Hancock

1998Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 2
  • Cassette 1
Future 2 Future

Future 2 Future

Herbie Hancock

2001Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 2
  • Cassette
Future 2 Future - LIVE (at the Knitting Factory)

Future 2 Future - LIVE (at the Knitting Factory)

Herbie Hancock

2002Live
  • Vinyl
  • CD
  • Cassette
Live: Detroit/Chicago

Live: Detroit/Chicago

Herbie Hancock

2005Live
  • Vinyl
  • CD
  • Cassette
Headhunters (Live)

Headhunters (Live)

Herbie Hancock

2018Live
  • Vinyl
  • CD
  • Cassette
Day Dreams

Day Dreams

Herbie Hancock

Live
  • Vinyl
  • CD
  • Cassette

Data provided by Discogs

Listen

Signature songs

  1. 01Watermelon Man
  2. 02Chameleon
  3. 03Cantaloupe IslandEmpyrean Isles · 1964
  4. 04Rockit
  5. 05Maiden VoyageMaiden Voyage · 1965
  6. 06Sly
  7. 07Vein Melter
  8. 08Cantaloupe Island - Remastered 1999/Rudy Van Gelder Edition

Essentials

3 Herbie Hancock albums you need to own

Our picks, approved by the editors.

  1. #1 · 1965
    LP, Album, Mono

    Maiden Voyage

    Definitive hard bop album from 1965 with modal jazz elements, sought-after Blue Note original pressings.

    5 tracksMono formatBlue Note labelOriginal US pressing available
    Discover the album
  2. #2 · 1972
    LP, Album

    Crossings

    A pivotal jazz fusion album recorded in 1972, showing Hancock's move into post bop and funk.

    3 tracksGatefold sleeveWarner Bros. labelOriginal German pressing from 1972
    Discover the album
  3. #3 · 1971
    LP, Album, Stereo

    Mwandishi

    Experimental fusion and spiritual jazz album, recorded in 1971 with a distinct sonic exploration.

    3 tracksStereo editionWarner Bros. labelOriginal German pressing
    Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Herbie Hancock

Artists who share part of Herbie Hancock's musical DNA.

Wayne Shorter
Wayne Shorter
Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Chick Corea
Chick Corea
Weather Report
Weather Report
Freddie Hubbard
Freddie Hubbard
Joe Henderson
Joe Henderson
John Coltrane
John Coltrane
McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner

B-side

B-side: the hidden stories of Herbie Hancock

Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.

01Recording

Recording of 'Crossings' in 1972

The album 'Crossings' was recorded and released in 1972, blending post bop, fusion, and jazz-funk styles on Warner Bros. It features a long 24:50-minute track 'Sleeping Giant'.

1972United States
02Original Pressing

Original German pressing of 'Mwandishi'

The 1971 German pressing of 'Mwandishi' on Warner Bros. Records remains a prized LP for collectors, notable for its fusion and spiritual jazz influence.

1971Germany
"Herbie redefined the role of rhythm in jazz, bringing keyboard innovations that shaped generations."
— JazzCritic
04Hit Tracks

'Watermelon Man' popularity

'Watermelon Man' has over 2.4 million plays, making it one of Hancock's most listened to compositions and a staple on jazz vinyl collections.

1962United States
05Jazz Evolution

Joining the Miles Davis Quintet

In the 1960s, Hancock joined the influential Miles Davis quintet, helping redefine jazz rhythms and keyboard textures.

1960sUnited States

Herbie Hancock vinyl discography

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Herbie Hancock CDs

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Recommended accessories

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FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What are the best vinyl albums by Herbie Hancock?

Key vinyl albums include 'Maiden Voyage' (1965), 'Crossings' (1972), and 'Mwandishi' (1971), available in various pressings and reissues.

How much do original Herbie Hancock LPs cost?

Prices vary widely; original Mono US pressing of 'Maiden Voyage' can reach between 78 and 260 euros on the secondary market.

Which Herbie Hancock album is notable for jazz fusion?

'Crossings' (1972) showcases his exploration of jazz fusion with post bop and funk elements.

Are there audiophile vinyl editions of Herbie Hancock records?

Yes, several albums including 'Crossings' and 'Fat Albert Rotunda' have 180g audiophile vinyl editions with gatefold sleeves and colored vinyl options.

Where can I find original US pressings of 'Maiden Voyage'?

Original US mono pressings of 'Maiden Voyage' (Blue Note BLP 4195) occasionally appear in vinyl shops and online, often priced between 173 and 261 euros.

Is Herbie Hancock's music available on vinyl in France?

Yes, many editions of his albums such as 'Takin' Off' are available in French markets including audiophile reissues on labels like VINYL PASSION.

How does Herbie Hancock's style evolve across his vinyl releases?

Starting from hard bop with 'My Point Of View', Hancock expanded into jazz fusion, funk, and electronic jazz through the 1970s and 1980s.

What makes the 'Empyrean Isles' album special for collectors?

Its 1964 Blue Note mono pressing features modal jazz with tracks like 'Cantaloupe Island' and commands high prices among collectors.

Transparency

Sources & method

This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability

Our method

  1. Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
  2. Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.
Last updated: 04/07/2026