It’s been over a week since the first concert I saw at the Discover Jazz festival (Burlington, VT) and, aside from being generally busy, there was so much new music and performance information that Hancock put out on that evening, that it seemed wiser to let the sensations percolate through thought and emotion for a while before sitting to reflect on the show in writing.

In fact, I only saw the second set but, on my way in to the theater I heard many on their way out exclaiming how amazing the show was, or seeming pleased that he had played so many old favorites. They were clearly leaving midway though, in droves.  

Something about this seemed strange since one of the reasons that folks attend his music is that he is a recognized musical “genius.”  That’s not really genius status by association or history, it comes from a track record of blowing peoples stodgy, musical perception, doors off the dirty hinges of their expectations.  His abilities to use music as a vast nuanced system of self expression, as well as it’s uses as a vehicle for voicing the  intentions or identities of cultural movements, seem beyond question at this point.  In fact, most who are looking for these “hits” can’t stop muttering on at the same time about...