This week’s episode examines how cultural diplomacy can be one of the most effective tools for international relations, despite often being downplayed in favor of displays of hard power. We meet jazz legend Herbie Hancock and basketball superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

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Hancock was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2011 for the promotion of intercultural dialogue, which put him on the world stage to spread messages of peace and unity. Hancock is not only a jazz icon, but, as the chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, a mentor to the next generation of jazz greats.

Abdul-Jabbar holds the NBA’s scoring record with an impressive 38,387 career points. For Kareem, it’s no longer about winning the game, but rather about applying the values he learned on the court to the next chapter in his life — and sharing those lessons with the world through his role as a U.S. Cultural Ambassador.

Watch the video replay of KCET’s “Herbie Hancock: All That Jazz” here at HerbieHancock.com

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As described by KCET:

“In a special episode, SoCal Connected correspondent Michael Okwu gains unprecedented access to jazz great Herbie Hancock, at home and on-stage.

The legendary 14-time Grammy winner opens up about his life, history, and accomplishments from over half a century of music-making with some of the jazz world’s greatest artists. This special half-hour features amazing performances and never-before-seen footage of Hancock. It also includes interviews with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, and Los Angeles Times jazz critic, Chris Barton.

SoCal Connected takes you on a journey from the origins of Hancock’s career as a musical prodigy with legendary trumpeter Miles Davis—to his days recording hit songs for commercials and TV—to his current role spearheading jazz programs for the L.A. Philharmonic & Hollywood Bowl with renowned composer Gustavo Dudamel.”

‘Possibilities’ features an all-star set of singers and instrumentalists, including John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, Carlos Santana, Sting and Paul Simon performing a mix of new compositions and standards.

The album received GRAMMY nominations in the Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals category for Herbie’s performance with Christina Aguilera on “A Song For You” and in the Best Pop Instrumental Performance category for Herbie’s original composition with Trey Anastasio on “Gelo na Montanha.” “Possibilities” is the fourth Herbie Hancock album to achieve a Gold sales milestone.

The award-winning jazz great discusses his first-ever solo tour and reflects on the key to a great performance. A modern music icon, Herbie Hancock played with the jazz greats and went on to become an Oscar- and Grammy-winning musician-composer. The Chicago native took up piano at age 7 and, classically trained, was performing Mozart with symphony orchestras by age 11. He’s scored a number of films and is involved in several educational endeavors, including the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Hancock is the L.A. Philharmonic’s creative chair for jazz and UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador for the promotion of Intercultural Dialogue. This fall, he embarks on his first ever solo tour.

Click here to watch a video of Herbie Hancock on the Tavis Smiley Show, broadcast August 29th, 2011, via WNET

Following his appointment as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Herbie will bring the milestones of his storied career to audiences in his first solo tour.

Kicking off this Fall’s ambitious schedule is the much-anticipated opening night gala of the Los Angeles Philharmonic pairing Hancock with conductor Gustavo Dudamel at Walt Disney Hall.

Hancock will then set out on his first ever solo tour, which will see the artist explore his catalog alone on stage, accompanied only by his arsenal of keyboards and his signature Fazioli Grand piano.

Hancock will re-arrange and reinterpret his contributions to the canon of modern jazz, funk and electronic music for an evening of unprecedented virtuosity.

A trio of cities, Calgary, Portland and Seattle, will see Hancock revisit George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” in collaboration with their local symphony orchestras.

HERBIE HANCOCK 2011 TOUR DATES

9.17.11 Monterey, CA, Monterey Jazz Festival*
9.18.11 Santa Rosa, CA, Wells Fargo Center*
9.20.11 Chico, CA, Laxson Auditorium*
9.21.11 Berkeley, CA, Zellerbach Hall*
9.23.11 San Diego, CA Balboa Theater*
9.27.11 Los Angeles, CA, Disney Hall w/ LA Philharmonic
10.7.11 Akron, OH, E.J. Thomas Theatre#
10.8.11 Philadelphia, PA, Verizon Hall#
10.9.11 Newport News, VA, Ferguson Center for the Arts#
10.28.11 Minneapolis, MN, Orchestra Hall#
10.29.11 Naperville, IL, Wentz Concert Hall#
10.30.11 Lawrence, KS, Lied Center of Kansas#
10.31.11 Dallas, TX, Meyerson Symphony Center#
11.9.11 Calgary, ALB, Jack Singer Concert Hall w/ Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
11.11.11 Portland, OR, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall w/ Oregon Symphony
11.18.11 Seattle, WA, Benaroya Hall w/ Seattle Symphony)

* w/ Lionel Loueke, James Genus, and Vinnie Colaiuta
# Solo Concert

Click here to watch a video of Herbie at the UNESCO headquarters

Introducing the Herbie Hancock VIP Experience.

On select upcoming dates, a limited number of VIP packages will be available, which include: VIP laminate with seat in the first 10 rows, limited edition signed poster, and a post-show reception including a meet and greet with Herbie. Visit our tour page for more details and newly announced dates.

Herbie Hancock will return to North America in the summer for a series of West Coast shows, with The Herbie Hancock VIP Experience package offered for select shows.

Herbie Hancock will return to North America in the summer for a series of West Coast shows featuring drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist James Genus and guitarist Lionel Loueke. The quartet tour will kick off September 17th at the Monterey Jazz Festival in northern California, then move on to Santa Rosa, Chico, Berkeley and San Diego.

The Herbie Hancock VIP Experience package will be offered for select shows on this west coast run, including VIP laminate with a seat in the first 10 rows, limited edition signed poster, and a post-show reception including a meet and greet with Herbie.

From there, Herbie will perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a special performance at Disney Hall conducted by Gustavo Dudamel for the opening night gala of the Philharmonic’s 2011 season.

Finally, Herbie will wrap up the year by performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue” accompanied by symphony orchestras in Calgary, Portland and Seattle.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova will designate American jazz musician Herbie Hancock as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on July 22nd.

PARIS, June 30 – UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova will designate American jazz musician Herbie Hancock as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 22 July. Recognizing Herbie Hancock’s “dedication to the promotion of peace through dialogue, culture and the arts,” the Director-General has asked the celebrated jazz musician “to contribute to UNESCO’s efforts to promote mutual understanding among cultures, with a particular emphasis on fostering the emergence of new and creative ideas amongst youth, to find solutions to global problems, as well as on ensuring equal access to the diversity of artistic expressions.”

Now in the fifth decade of his Professional life, with an Academy Award for his film score to Round Midnight and 14 Grammy Awards, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: in the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. In addition to being recognized as a legendary pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960’s. From his tenure as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet to the record-breaking « Headhunters » to the electronic dance music sounds of « Rockit » and « Future Shock, » Hancock has continuously pioneered a groundbreaking, more expansive sound and direction in all genres of music. Many of his compositions, including “Canteloupe Island,” “Maiden Voyage,” “Watermelon Man” and “Chameleon,” are modern standards.

Herbie Hancock also maintains a thriving career outside the performing stage and recording studio. He is the Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, and serves as Institute Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, the foremost international organization devoted to the development of jazz performance and education worldwide. He is also a founder of The International Committee of Artists for Peace (ICAP). Hancock was recently given the “Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres” by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon – the internationally esteemed Arts Award.

UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassadors are an outstanding group of celebrity advocates who have generously accepted to use their talent and status to help focus the world’s attention on the objectives and aims of UNESCO’s work in its fields of competence: education, culture, science and communication/information.

“My deepest admiration for contributions to life through music created by Mr. Katoh. His innovations and the spirit behind them have made a major impression on shaping music for nearly five decades. My sincere condolences to his family and co-workers at Korg for this tremendous loss of a great technology giant and friend. We will all miss him, but the influence of his genius will continue for many many years to come.” – Herbie