The music of Herbie Hancock has affected the lives of generations of jazz performers. Like many of these musicians, it was the opportunity to play with the great pianist/composer that introduced the great drummer Mike Clark to the jazz world at large. To show his appreciation, Clark presents a selection of his favorite Hancock pieces performed with a trio on his new recording, Mike Clark Plays Herbie Hancock.

Mike Clark in the late 1960s regularly played post-bop gigs with Woody Shaw and Bobby Hutcherson, but it was the funky organ gigs with his friend, bassist Paul Jackson, that really cemented Clark's standing on the scene.

At the time, Hancock's ground-breaking, electric Mwandishi ensemble broke up due to financial constraints. Hancock began to regroup a smaller, funkier ensemble and hired Jackson. Hancock initially had Harvey Mason for the drum chair, but his work constraints wouldn't allow him to join. Jackson recommended Clark for the group and the Headhunters were born.