Legendary jazz-funk ensemble The Headhunters celebrated the band’s fiftieth anniversary in 2023. Percussionist Bill Summers and drummer Mike Clark co-lead the band, with NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison on alto saxophone. The band formed around Herbie Hancock‘s classic recordings: Head Hunters in 1973, Thrust in 1974 and Man-Child in 1975. Then, the band continued without Mr. Hancock and has released eight albums under the Headhunters name.

They started with Survival of the Fittest in 1975 and continued with Straight from the Gate in 1977. There, the latter featured the smash hit “God Make Me Funky” sampled on over 350 hip-hop and pop songs. Further, they recently released Speakers In the House in 2022 and Live From Brooklyn Bowl in 2023. Then, the band released their new album The Stunt Man in October 2024.

Few bands can boast a history as fortuitous and storied as The Headhunters. Each member brings dazzling artistry to the table, forging a history that most bands can only dream of. Moreover, their blend of jazz with funk and rock has sold over a million albums worldwide. Meanwhile, the band’s legacy continues to inspire musicians of every genre. Furthermore, hundreds of hip-hop artists sampled them throughout the ’80s and ’90s, influencing countless musicians today. The Headhunters’ impact remains a global phenomenon, and their time with Hancock proved to be a life changing experience.

The current band consists of a top-notch quintet. Here Clark, Summers and Harrison are joined by bassist Chris Severin (Dr. John, Diana Krall, The Neville Brothers). Then, pianist Kyle Roussel (Preservation Hall Jazz Band) rounds out the band. Both artists are staples on the New Orleans music scene.