Herbie Hancock Celebrates Birthday, New Memoir Deal

Birthday wishes to jazz legend Herbie Hancock who celebrates today (April 12).  Hancock was born and raised in Chicago, IL and began playing the piano when he was seven.  He released his debut album, Takin' Off, on Blue Note Records in 1962 and caught the attention of Miles Davis who asked him to join his 'second great quintet' in 1963.  Herbie has won 14 Grammy Awards and received the NEA Jazz Master Award in 2004.  He's known for his classics "Cantaloupe Island" and "Chameleon" and crossed over into the MTV generation with his hit "Rockit."  This week Herbie announced he's inked a book deal for his memoir with Viking, due out in 2014.  As the current Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO, he's launching the first International Jazz Day on April 30 featuring star-studded concerts in Paris, France, New Orleans and New York City.