You've probably heard the sampled-by-everyone bass-and-guitar lick from "God Make Me Funky," but the Headhunters transcended mere groovemongering with substantive solos and crafty arrangements in tunes like "Mugic" and "Here and Now." This is no surprise; before backing Hancock, the various members of the band already had paid serious dues with well-known jazz musicians like vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and Vince Guaraldi (who before being marked for life by doing music for Charlie Brown TV specials was a respected pianist).
The Headhunters reunited in 1998 with the core of the band--and its sound--intact. The spare, stripped-down playing of bassist Paul Jackson and drummer Mike Clark enables percussionist and ethnomusicologist Bill Summers to whip up a whirling polyrhythmic stew. This is where funk becomes jazz; intelligent rhythms interlock and perhaps de-couple to emerge as a solo or a bridge, only to soon submerge and propel the tune elsewhere. Joining the band are pianist Victor Atkins, keyboardist Ronald Markham, saxophonist Donald Harrison, and second bassist Rob Wasserman--all ace players who will quite likely help the original trio con brio set the place ablaze. CHRISTOPHER DeLAURENTI
Headhunters perform at Jazz Alley Thurs-Sun Aug 21-24. Sets start at 8 and 10 pm, except for Sun when sets start at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm (Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave, 441-9729), $18.50/$22.50.
