In 1973, The Headhunters arrived on the scene with a thunderclap that changed jazz forever. Up until that time, jazz had been about bebop and was often too abstract to connect with large audiences. But, The Headhunters changed jazz by blending traditional jazz improvisation with funk rhythms, R&B grooves and electric instrumentation.
The band, headed by Herbie Hancock, opened up jazz to wider audiences and the masses proved they were on board, by making the album Headhunters the first ever jazz album to be certified Platinum.
In the 50 years since, the band has gone on to release six more full-length albums and still consists of original members Bill Summers on percussion and Mike Clark on drums.
The group will bring their great sound and historic play list to Kansas City over Labor Day weekend for a fundraiser benefiting the American Music Apprenticeship Program, an initiative designed to give underprivileged children access to music lessons, history and mentorship.
The AMAP was put together to address the deficit of professional musicians in American society,” said AMAP founder the Executive Director of Creative City KC Anita Dixon-Brown.
KC Performance
The Headhunters will make two performances in Kansas City Labor Day weekend. Their concert performance will be on Mon., Sept. 1 at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. KCMO. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.
If you want an enhanced experience, purchase tickets for the VIP Soundcheck Party, which includes a meet and greet with bandmembers, photo ops, exclusive entry and admission to the live show. Tickets to the VIP Soundcheck are $200 each.
Both tickets can be purchased online at theheadhunterskc.com
On Sun., Aug. 31, the historic Boone Tabernacle Church of God in Christ located at 1317 E. 12th St., KCMO, will be the site of a panel discussion with the Headhunters from 4:30 to 7 p.m. A donation of $20 is requested for this event.
KC a City for Music
Bringing The Headhunters to Kansas City does more than entertain,” said Dixon-Brown. “It raises the city’s cultural profile. It tells the world that KC is not just preserving its musical past but actively investing in its musical future.”
