Sensational: Herbie Hancock, at the Edinburgh Festival, reviewed

‘Human beings are in trouble these days,’ says Herbie Hancock, chatting to us between songs. ‘And do you know who can fix it?’ ‘Herbie!’ comes the instant reply, shouted from somewhere in the stalls.

Hancock might be a jazz legend, but he’s not quite the Saviour. Kicking off this year’s excellent contemporary music programme at the Edinburgh International Festival, he’s a hit from the moment he strolls into view. In his long black frockcoat, Hancock has come tonight as the High Priest of Cool. When he straps on a keytar, he’s a funky gunslinger. When one of his outstanding trio takes a particularly inventive solo, he cracks up with undisguised glee at the sheer showdown-slaying audacity of their playing.

Hancock’s band is sensational, comprising James Genus on electric bass, drummer Justin Tyson and electric guitarist Lionel Loueke, who takes centre stage. Hancock parks himself over to our left, hopping between synthesiser and grand piano, often switching several times during a song.