Hancock was stunning when playing the acoustic grand piano, but as soon as he touched anything electronic, it was terribly boring to me. Probably the biggest disappointment of the entire set was the performances of pop songs from his recent CD, Possibilities, in which Hancock worked with top pop stars. The ever-grinning electric bassist Nathan East, a veteran session and touring player who has played on many hit singles and albums, sang the Stevie Wonder hit, "I Just Called To Say I Love You," the BB King/ U2 tune "When Loves Comes To Town," and John Mayer's "Stitched Up." While receiving warm applause, the inclusion of these pop songs seemed totally out of place. Herbie Hancock remains a giant among men in the jazz world. Why did he even record such an album? Once you record it, you've got to support it on tour, which is what we witnessed that evening.

The popular Hancock tracks "Maiden Voyage," an introspective, evocative piece and "Cantaloupe Island," a signature piece from the 1964 album Empyrean Isles, closed out the main set.

During the encore,"Chameleon," from the Head Hunters album, Kenny Garrett stepped in and saved the final tune from slipping into mediocrity.

Herbie Hancock would have been excellent with just him on piano, a bass player and a drummer. Maybe next time. Instead of playing safe for purists fans like myself, Hancock went out on a few limbs as would be befitting his rich musical heritage. Miles Davis would have done the same, I suppose.

My rating for the Kenny Garrett Quartet is .

My rating for Herbie Hancock is .