The Headhunters, the legendary jazz-funk band who broke new ground in the 1970s will bring that energetic sonic innovation to the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
Founded in 1973, The Headhunters emerged during a pivotal period in renowned pianist and composer Herbie Hancock’s career. After making his mark as a jazz purist with Miles Davis, Hancock ventured into a new sonic territory, eager to explore the electrifying possibilities of synthesizers, groove-based rhythms, and funk. The Headhunters became the vessel for this creative exploration.
SONIC BOOM
Their debut album, Head Hunters, was a groundbreaking success. Released in 1973, it became one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time and featured iconic tracks like “Chameleon” and “Watermelon Man.” The album’s fusion of complex jazz harmonies with deep, funky grooves resonated with audiences far beyond the traditional jazz scene. It was bold, experimental, and utterly captivating.
The Headhunters continued to push boundaries with subsequent albums, such as Thrust (1974) and Man-Child (1975). They incorporated elements of world music, rock, and even electronic experimentation, staying true to their ethos of innovation.
INNOVATIVE MINDSET
The band continued without Hancock and released eight albums under the Headhunters name starting with Survival of the Fittest (1975) and on Straight from the Gate (1977) (featuring the smash hit “God Make Me Funky” sampled on over 350 hip hop and pop songs). and most recently Speakers In the House (2022) and Live From Brooklyn Bowl (2023). In 2024 The Headhunters released their latest album The Stunt Man on Ropeadope Records. recorded at the legendary Hyde Street Studios.
Today, famed percussionist and original Headhunters band member Bill Summers is joined by drummer and co-leader Mike Clark, NEA Jazz Master and saxophonist Donald Harrison, bassist Chris Severin and pianist Kyle Roussel. Clark is also an original member of The Headhunters.
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.
