The legendary 14-time Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer returns to Rome with his full live band, featuring Terence Blanchard, Lionel Loueke, James Genus and Jaylen Petinaud, for a special performance at Sala Santa Cecilia on Monday 14 December 2026.
Tickets on sale Tuesday 27 October at 10am via TicketOne
Legendary pianist, composer and musical innovator Herbie Hancock will return to Rome on Monday 14 December 2026 for a full-length headline concert at Sala Santa Cecilia (Santa Cecilia Hall), Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone.
Following his appearance at the Summertime Festival at the Cavea dell'Auditorium on 14 July 2025, Hancock returns to the Italian capital with his full electric band, featuring trumpeter Terence Blanchard, guitarist Lionel Loueke, bassist James Genus and drummer Jaylen Petinaud.
Now in his seventh decade as a professional musician, Hancock remains a pioneering force in jazz and beyond. From his early recordings for Blue Note and his groundbreaking work with Miles Davis's Second Great Quintet to the jazz-funk revolution of Head Hunters and the electronic experimentation of Future Shock, he has consistently challenged musical conventions while inspiring generations of artists.
His remarkable catalogue includes compositions such as Watermelon Man, Cantaloupe Island, Maiden Voyage and Chameleon, alongside the groundbreaking 1983 hit Rockit. His achievements include 14 Grammy Awards, among them Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters, an Academy Award for his score for Round Midnight, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2011.
Hancock's extraordinary live performances continue to earn widespread critical acclaim. His three-night residency at London's Barbican in July 2025 received a five-star review from the Financial Times, underlining the enduring creativity and musical invention that have defined his career.
That spirit of exploration was also at the heart of a recent feature in MOJO magazine, “The Art of the Possible”, which examined Hancock's six decades of musical innovation, from his pioneering use of electric keyboards and synthesisers to his collaborations across jazz, funk, rock and hip-hop. Rather than resting on his extraordinary legacy, Hancock continues to embrace new ideas, technology and musical partnerships, keeping his performances as unpredictable and forward-looking as ever.
Joining Hancock in Rome will be an exceptional ensemble of musicians. Five-time Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard, renowned for his work in jazz, film and opera, brings his distinctive musical voice to the stage alongside innovative guitarist Lionel Loueke, whose unique approach combines jazz improvisation with the rhythms and musical traditions of his native Benin. The line-up is completed by acclaimed bassist James Genusand drummer Jaylen Petinaud.
The Rome concert follows the announcement that Hancock will also participate in the 34th Vatican Christmas Concert on Saturday 12 December 2026 at the Paul VI Audience Hall in Vatican City. Joining Joan Baez and other international artists, Hancock will present a special short performance as part of the historic multi-artist fundraising event, which this year supports the construction of a school in Madagascar.
The 14 December concert at Sala Santa Cecilia is a separate, full-length headline performance, offering audiences the opportunity to experience Hancock and his band in concert.