Pianist Herbie Hancock is a chameleon — as I say in my newest column in CityArts-New York. For his first appearance at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Friday night (3/9 ) he leads a trio, and on Saturday (3/10) adds Benin-born guitarist Lionel Loueke,  in formats a far cry from The Imagine Project, Hancock’s latest album. In it he puts his skills as collaborator and accompanist to work with Pink, Seal, India Arie, Jeff Beck, John Legend, Los Lobos, the Chieftains, Chaka Khan, Toumani Diabate and diverse others. But here are three rare video examples of Mr. Hancock in decades past, with a fusion anthem, an experimental electronics-graced ensemble, and all stars playing the theme from his 1960s masterpiece, Maiden Voyage.
“Chameleon” by Hancock’s Headhunters, in Chicago, 1974:
“Sleeping Giant” by Hancock’s Mwandishi ensemble of 1972 (Herbie’s Fender Rhodes piano solo kicks in at 1:50)
And in 1986, revising his roots on the grand piano for “Maiden Voyage” featuring Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and Tony Williams from the original recording of 1965, plus tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson.