Herbie Hancock to join high school students in concert

Herbie Hancock, legendary jazz pianist and 11-time Grammy winner, will join students at a free concert this afternoon at 2 at Washington Preparatory High School, for the culminating event of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz program.

The concert will showcase the work of young artists who took part in “Bebop to Hip-Hop,” a collaboration between the L.A. Unified School District and the Monk Institute.

For the last year, 25 Washington Prep students studied daily with professional jazz and hip-hip artists. The class explored both forms of music, along with the influence of jazz on hip-hop.

The students today are performing their own compositions, combining both musical genres. Hancock, the institute's chairman, will perform alongside the students. The concert will also feature actor Bill Cobbs and renowned hip-hop performer DJ Spark.

“These students are redefining the possibilities of what hip-hop can be,” said Daniel Seeff, the Monk Institute’s West Coast director and co-coordinator of the "Bebop to Hip-Hop" program.

“We are bringing together the complexity of jazz with the fun of hip-hop, and it’s an awesome combination,” said Gabrielle Riley, a Washington Prep senior and trombonist.

The school's address is 10860 Denker Ave. in Los Angeles.

-- Mary MacVean

Photo courtesy of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz